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State corrections officials and the employees union at Montana State Prison have reached a new contract, the Montana Department of Corrections announced Thursday.
The new agreement includes a $2 per hour raise for correctional officers at the state prison outside of Deer Lodge. It also implements changes to the employee grievance process, allowing for "more efficient resolution" of grievances, the state said.
“We are pleased to provide a well-deserved pay increase to our correctional officers at MSP,” DOC Director Brian Gootkin said in a press release Thursday.
Union negotiations had been ongoing since June 2021. After two months without resolution, the Federation of Montana State Prison Employees Local 4700 announced it had voted 60-0 to engage in concerted activity, a step toward a potential strike, to address what the union called inadequate and unsafe working conditions.
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Negotiations continued after the vote and the strike never came, but prison officials in January told a legislative oversight committee maintaining staffing levels has been difficult when correctional officers can transfer to local jails in greater-population counties to get higher pay.
The previous starting wage for a corrections officer was $16.46, according to prison officials who presented information to lawmakers in January.
“Beyond this recognition of the hard work of our correctional officers, we hope this raise will make us more competitive in terms of recruitment and retention of workers for these crucial public safety jobs," Gootkin said.
The president of the Local 4700 was not available for comment Thursday. | https://helenair.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/doc-reaches-new-contract-with-prison-officers/article_559c0a1b-0bb2-546f-927c-83e8e9dedf0d.html | 2022-04-01T01:55:39Z |
You need to enable JavaScript to run this app. | https://sportspyder.com/nhl/carolina-hurricanes/articles/39012677 | 2022-04-01T01:55:40Z |
Oscars producer says police offered to arrest Will Smith
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Oscars producer Will Packer said Los Angeles police were ready to arrest Will Smith after Smith slapped Chris Rock on the Academy Awards stage.
“They were saying, you know, this is battery, was a word they used in that moment,” Packer said in a clip released by ABC News Thursday night of an interview he gave to “Good Morning America.” “They said we will go get him. We are prepared. We’re prepared to get him right now. You can press charges, we can arrest him. They were laying out the options.”
But Packer said Rock was “very dismissive” of the idea.
“He was like, ‘No, no, no, I’m fine,” Packer said. “And even to the point where I said, ‘Rock, let them finish.’ The LAPD officers finished laying out what his options were and they said, ‘Would you like us to take any action?’ And he said no.”
The LAPD said in a statement after Sunday night’s ceremony that they were aware of the incident, and that Rock had declined to file a police report. The department declined comment Thursday on Packer’s interview, a longer version of which will air on Friday morning.
The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences met Wednesday to initiate disciplinary proceedings against Smith for violations against the group’s standards of conduct. Smith could be suspended, expelled or otherwise sanctioned.
The academy said in a statement that “Mr. Smith’s actions at the 94th Oscars were a deeply shocking, traumatic event to witness in-person and on television.”
Without giving specifics, the academy said Smith was asked to leave the ceremony at the Dolby Theatre, but refused to do so.
Smith strode from his front row seat on to the stage and slapped Rock after a joke Rock made about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, when he was on stage to present the Oscar for best documentary.
On Monday, Smith issued an apology to Rock, the academy and to viewers, saying “I was out of line and I was wrong.”
The academy said Smith has the opportunity to defend himself in a written response before the board meets again on April 18.
Rock publicly addressed the incident for the first time, but only briefly, at the beginning of a standup show Wednesday night in Boston, where he was greeted by a thunderous standing ovation. He said “I’m still kind of processing what happened.”
___
Follow AP Entertainment Writer Andrew Dalton on Twitter: https://twitter.com/andyjamesdalton
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.kctv5.com/2022/04/01/oscars-producer-says-police-offered-arrest-will-smith/ | 2022-04-01T01:55:39Z |
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The latest news from around North Texas. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/north-texas-family-share-story-to-raise-money-to-help-children-like-their-daughter/2929433/ | 2022-04-01T01:55:40Z |
USDA forecasting higher food, grocery costs in 2022
(Gray News) - It looks like elevated food prices are going to continue this year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The USDA released its Food Price Outlook for 2022 and predicted the cost of groceries would continue to increase to as much as 4%.
According to the Consumer Price Index, grocery and supermarket food prices were already 8.6% higher in February than last year and up nearly 1.5% from January to February in 2022.
As reported by the Associated Press, prices for U.S. consumers have continued to jump recently, leaving families facing the highest inflation rate since 1990.
“We’re getting into this situation where we have spiraling inflation,” said Jay Hatfield, CEO of Infrastructure Capital Advisors. “Inflation in one area drives inflation in another.”
Currently, the CPI reports all food categories are increasing in price other than fresh vegetables. Last year, the beef and veal categories had the most significant price increase of 9.3%, and the fresh vegetable category had the smallest at 1.1%. However, no food categories decreased in price in 2021.
Poultry prices are also expected to increase up to 7%, with egg prices predicted to increase up to 3.5% in 2022.
Overall, grocery store and supermarket food purchases are expected to increase up to 4%, with restaurant purchases or food away from home forecasted to increase up to 6.5%, according to the USDA.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.ktiv.com/2022/04/01/usda-forecasting-higher-food-grocery-costs-2022/ | 2022-04-01T01:55:40Z |
Mouthful Is Making The Miniature Comedy Festival Bigger
Mouthful launches Boosted campaign to help bring Miniature Comedy Festival back to the streets of Tāmaki Makaurau this summer.
After After an initial sold-out run on Karangahape Road in 2021, Mouthful is crowdfunding to make this festival accessible to a broader audience.
This fast-paced three-day festival began as a way to showcase the active and ever-changing comedy community in Tāmaki Makaurau. Mouthful, the pseudonym of local producer Conor Dunbar, plans to continue that effort.
Conor Dunbar is determined to ensure performers are paid their worth, crew are paid a living wage, and ticket prices are kept at an affordable rate. With that in mind, Mouthful has launched a Boosted campaign to raise funds to support them in sticking to that ethos.
Shares Conor, "It’ll cost us roughly $15,000 to put on this festival, and we want to raise $4000 with the help of our fantastic audience. Live performers have experienced a loss of income and opportunity during the pandemic. With this in mind, Mouthful has set out to pack as many paid opportunities as possible into three action-packed nights again this summer."
"With the help of this campaign, we can take Miniature Comedy Festival outside Auckland Central, making it accessible to a broader audience. We're looking for a space where we can program concurrent shows, creating more space for performers to present their work."
WHAT'S THE BOOSTED FUNDING FOR?
With the help of donations, Mouthful can:
Keep ticket prices low. Conor doesn't want price to be a barrier to experiencing local art. If they reach their funding goal, all tickets will be under $20.
Pay performers their worth. Artists deserve fair pay for their mahi. Your donations help us pay performers at or above industry standards.
Pay crew a living wage. Mouthful shows wouldn't be possible without an outstanding crew. With enough donations, the festival can continue to pay a living wage.
Mouthful is determined to deliver a festival that celebrates and reflects the quality and variety of comedy in Aotearoa. Miniature Comedy Festival is coming to Tāmaki Makaurau this summer with thanks to Auckland Council Arts Comeback Fund, Boosted, and you!
And Learn more about Mouthful and Miniature Comedy Festival on the Boosted page, their Website or follow Mouthful on Facebook and Instagram. | https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU2204/S00005/mouthful-is-making-the-miniature-comedy-festival-bigger.htm | 2022-04-01T01:55:41Z |
Firearms discovered at each major Tennessee airport last week
BLOUNTVILLE — Tennessee’s five major airports have at least one thing in common — each produced one or more firearms at its security checkpoint within the last week. The Transportation Security Administration recovered a total of eight firearms at Tennessee’s five major airports between March 20-27, according to the TSA. According...
www.timesnews.net | https://www.newsbreak.com/news/2556265712959/firearms-discovered-at-each-major-tennessee-airport-last-week | 2022-04-01T01:55:41Z |
Florida State University Professor Maurice Johnson teaches his students about Black history, society and culture through the lens of Hip Hop. In his Hip Hop Culture and Global Mass Communication class, Johnson discusses the social and political issues in the Black community through various mediums including songs like “The Message” by Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five or films like Boyz in the Hood.
Johnson pulls the inspiration for this course from his own HBCU experience at Florida A&M University. He was an MC while his friends were DJ’s for the college radio station, The Flava Station. He went on to pursue his graduate degree at FSU where he explored Hip Hop culture in his Master’s Thesis: “A Historical Analysis: The Evolution of Commercial Rap Music.”
Johnson returned to FAMU as a professor in their School of Journalism and Graphic Communication form 2011 to 2021. He created a First Year Experience course at FAMU in 2021 titled “Tupac Shakur: Popular Culture, Politics and Social Justice” using the artist’s lyrics as the text for the class.
Upon joining the FSU faculty, his idea of utilizing Hip Hop culture to discuss theories of mass communication was met with great support. However, Johnson felt a transition going from teaching at an HBCU to a predominately white institution (PWI).
“Being in Florida and you have a governor that supports a bill that doesn’t allow educators to make white people feel uncomfortable, it empowers children and young adults to be less tolerant. I feel like the culture can be used as a connector provided it’s taught in the proper context. Everybody can’t teach about Hip Hop,” said Johnson.
Johnson also said even though white people are consumers of Hip Hop and Black culture, they don’t necessarily love or value Black people. That is why it’s important for students to remember his class isn’t just about listening to music but about understanding the socioeconomic and political issues discussed within it.
“If we’re talking about NWA addressing police brutality with ‘F*ck The Police’ and you have a family member that’s in law enforcement in the heroic image of police officers that you grew up with may not necessarily correlate with the information that I’m giving in class and there may be some backlash,” Johnson said. “But at the same time I have students who come up to me after class everyday or send me emails like ‘Man I appreciate this so much. I wouldn’t have known any of this if I hadn’t taken his class.’”
Johnson noted that since the birth of Hip Hop culture in the Bronx Borough, the music has often reflected the reality and social issues of the Black community such as the crack cocaine epidemic in the 80s. Sometimes, that reality is weaponized against the artist and, lately, used as evidence. Johnson said the use of media to criminalize Black men isn’t anything new, citing the previous obscenity lawsuit against 2 Live Crew.
“I don’t think that they care to take into context that these artists may be speaking from an observatory perspective as opposed to a participatory perspective,” said Johnson. “If you’re not culturally competent it’s easy to misconstrue what’s being said. If you’re a suburban white parent and you hear ‘thug life’ you’re going to think of a thug living a particular way of life. You’re not going to think about the acronym, The Hate U Give Little Infants F*cks Everyone,” said Johnson.
Johnson also uses film to engage students on issues and themes such as systemic racism. The materials Johnson pulls for his class date back all the way to Birth of a Nation from 1915. For example, one semester Johnson showed students movies from the blaxploitation era such as Mandingo to showcase the first Black protagonists on screen. Then, he pulled from some of our most popular films from the “hood movie era” like Menace II Society to discuss the Black issues prevalent in the 90s.
Now he wants to show that the messages found in Hip Hop culture expands beyond the classroom. Currently, he’s presenting a study, Beats, Rhymes and Life: A Testimonio of Hip Hop as Collective Leadership in P-20 Schools, at the American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting in San Diego. With co-presenters Dr. Asif Wilson from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Dr. Vanessa Ochoa of East Los Angeles College, he will present the research of how students interacted with Hip Hop media in his FAMU First Year Experience course.
Johnson is also obtaining his Ph.D. at FAMU College of Education in educational leadership, researching how school leaders interact with Hip Hop culture and how using it in the classroom impacts student engagement and academic achievement. | https://www.theroot.com/fsu-professor-maurice-johnson-uses-hip-hop-as-his-textb-1848734350 | 2022-04-01T01:55:43Z |
NEW YORK (AP) — Whoa! It's a Double Aho!
Both NHL players named Sebastian Aho — one a defenseman for the New York Islanders, the other a forward for the Carolina Hurricanes — scored goals for their teams Thursday night.
And at nearly the exact same time.
According to Sportsnet Stats, the Islanders' Aho scored his first goal of the season at 7:14 p.m. EDT in New York against Columbus.
Just 34 seconds later — and more than 500 miles away — the Hurricanes' Aho scored his 31st goal in Carolina against Montreal. Both gave their teams 1-0 leads in the first period.
It's not the first time the two have combined on a statistical oddity. In 2018, New York's Aho committed a hooking penalty on Carolina's Aho, causing MSG Networks Islanders play-by-play broadcaster Brendan Burke to exclaim: "A little Sebastian Aho-on-Sebastian Aho crime.”
The two Ahos are not related, by the way. The Islanders' Aho, Sebastian Johannes Aho, is 26 and from Sweden. He has three career NHL goals in limited action.
The Hurricanes' Aho, Sebastian Antero Aho, is 24 and from Finland. He's a two-time NHL All-Star and has 176 career goals.
___
More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://www.myjournalcourier.com/sports/article/Isles-Aho-Hurricanes-Aho-score-goals-at-almost-17049866.php | 2022-04-01T01:55:43Z |
The River Taw Fisheries & Conservation Association held their AGM at High Bullen House Hotel after a two-year break due to Covid-19.
Chairman Andy Gray gave a warm welcome to the good number of members who attended despite ongoing concerns regarding Covid.
As always, conservation of the river and habitat dominated the agenda with enlightening talks given by Adrian Dowding from the West Country Rivers Trust and Dr Jamie Stevens who has been working on the SAMARCH project.
Dowding reported on the results of fry surveys undertaken on 40 sites across the River Taw catchment.
The results were encouraging for some areas of the Upper catchment with some evidence of improvement following gravel washing programmes over recent seasons.
The RTF&CA has adopted a science-based approach to conservation efforts funding valuable research into the river’s health. Good scientific-based data is vital in providing evidence needed to establish the requirement for funding.
The complexities of nature were made apparent by the fascinating talk delivered by Dr Stevens.
The five-year SAMARCH project is a five-year project that uses the genetic codes of sea trout and salmon to establish their movements within the marine environment.
This is undoubtedly highly complex scientific research that provides an extremely valuable tool in determining where conservation efforts need to be focussed. The mapping can be used to inform on decisions relating to Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
The associations secretary Ian Blewett gave a passionate summary of the vital work undertaken by the RTF&CA highlighting the need for numerous bodies to come together in an alliance for the long term good of the rivers.
There are many groups with different agendas regarding the river who share a basic need.
My own personal view is that rivers are the vital arteries of the land and as such should be fit for both fish and humans to swim within.
Ian explained that alliances between interested parties that have at times not seen eye to eye is vital to ensure improvement in agricultural practices and in ensuring adequate treatment of waste effluent.
There are many groups that are starting to work in partnership giving some hope that there is a brighter future for our rivers. The catch statistics from the river revealed that in 2021 a disappointing 65 salmon
and 120 sea trout were caught by anglers.
These results reflect a long term reduction in catches. Low water conditions and Covid lockdowns undoubtedly had some impact on these results so it is possible that this season will show an improvement.
At the time of writing at least five salmon on have been caught on the Taw and three on the Torridge.
The AGM was followed by a fundraising auction ensuring valuable funding for future conservation projects.
The dinner that followed was delicious and enabled a welcome chance to gather around the table and swap many tales from the riverside and beyond.
Those who value the River Taw should consider joining the River Taw Fisheries & Conservation Association.
Local stillwater trout fisheries are in fine form at present with anglers catching good-sized trout at both Blakewell and Bulldog.
Richard Twyman fished at Bulldog and hooked a large brown trout of 13lb that put up a sterling resistance before being brought to the waiting net.
Across the border in Somerset Wimbleball Fishery is also in fine form with hard fighting rainbows and wild brown trout.
Sea anglers are awaiting the arrival of smoothound, bass and mullet along the coast with the onset of spring. There are still a few specimen bull huss being caught.
Ollie Passmore fished a local rock mark after dark to tempt several huss to over 10lb. | https://www.devonlive.com/sport/conservation-taw-high-agenda-agm-6890707 | 2022-04-01T01:55:43Z |
APPLE VALLEY, Minn., March 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Uponor Corporation, the Finland-based parent of Uponor North America, has appointed Jennifer Hauschildt to the newly created position of Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) for the company worldwide, while also making her a member of the Uponor Executive Committee. The appointment, effective April 1, makes her the first leader based in North America to be named to the Executive Committee in a non-presidential role.
Based at the Apple Valley headquarters, Hauschildt has been serving as Vice President Human Resources for the North American division since June 2019. Now reporting to Michael Rauterkus, President and CEO, Uponor Corporation, she will continue to work from Minnesota. Hauschildt will travel worldwide, as needed, to establish working relationships across the entire Uponor organization and move key initiatives forward.
"I warmly welcome Jennifer to this new position on our Uponor Executive Committee," says Rauterkus. "She brings excellent organization and high-performance culture development skills, as well as extensive HR experience to the role. I am happy we found her internally, demonstrating our strong in-house experience and talent. Her capabilities and leadership are a great fit for driving the next phase of Uponor's People First agenda."
Hauschildt began her career at Uponor in 2014 as Vice President, IT, at Uponor North America. Prior to joining the company, she worked 20 years at Thomson Reuters and held various leadership positions in human resources, talent development, diversity and IT. She holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics and a master's in business administration.
"In her new role, Jen will be responsible for ensuring alignment between our business strategy and driving a People First culture globally," says John Reutter, Interim President and VP of Finance for Uponor North America. "Her appointment to the Executive Committee perfectly demonstrates our Flexible First working culture, in that It signifies that no matter where an employee is based, there are opportunities for career advancement at Uponor."
Reutter also announced that Erica Amevo, Director of Human Resources at Uponor North America, will assume the role of interim vice president of Human Resources for the division, while a search begins for Hauschildt's permanent replacement. Amevo will report to Reutter and serve on the Senior Management Committee.
"I am excited not only to take on this new role, but also for the importance Uponor is placing on moving our People First culture forward," says Hauschildt. "Our people are our most important asset, and the People First agenda reflects that commitment."
Note: As of April 1, Uponor Corporation's Executive Committee will consist of the following members: Michael Rauterkus, John Reutter and Jennifer Hauschildt, as well as Markus Melkko, CFO; Karsten Hoppe, President, Building Solutions – Europe; and Sebastian Bondestam, President, Uponor Infra.
To learn more about Uponor, click here. To download high-res photography, visit https://uponor.greenhousedigitalpr.com/jennifer-hauschildt/.
© 2022 Uponor Inc.
Uponor is a trademark of Uponor Corporation and Uponor Inc.
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SOURCE Uponor | https://www.kmvt.com/prnewswire/2022/03/31/uponor-appoints-jennifer-hauschildt-chief-hr-officer-worldwide-company/ | 2022-04-01T01:55:43Z |
wrestling / News
NXT UK Championship Match Set For Next Week’s WWE NXT UK
March 31, 2022 | Posted by
Ilja Dragunov will defend his NXT UK Champioship on next week’s episode of WWE NXT UK. You can see the updated card for next Thursday’s show below, as revealed on this week’s episode.
You can see our own Ian Hamilton’s full review of this week’s episode here.
* NXT UK Championship Match: Ilja Dragunov vs. Roderick Strong
* Charlie Dempsey vs. Wolfgang
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Neon Smith aims to shine brightly for Albert Town
Thursday, March 31, 2022ALBERT TOWN, Trelawny — As she did last year, Neon Smith will be Albert Town High's lone representative at next week's Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/GraceKennedy Boys' and Girls' Athletics Championships and will be eyeing medals in the Class Two girls' 800m and 1,500m events.
Sixteen-year-old Smith, who is in her first year in Class Two, won the double at the recent County of Cornwall Athletics Association (COCAA) Western Championships and her Coach Perhona Tomlin thinks she is ready to challenge for podium spots at the next level.
“From being an athlete to becoming a coach, I don't believe in predictions, but all I am expecting from her is to make it to the finals of both events,” Tomlin said.
Running virtually by herself at the Western Champs final held at the St Elizabeth Technical Sports Complex, Smith lit up both events, winning the 800m in 2:25.18 minutes and the 1,500m in 5:16.12, both with comfortable margins.
At last year's ISSA/GraceKennedy Championships, she was fourth in the 800m and 12th in the 1,500m and while Coach Tomlin is expecting her to do well, rues the fact that she did not get sufficient races this season to get her ready.
Having just one athlete to train can have its drawbacks Tomlin says, “It is hard because there no [is] other athletes to motivates her during training, therefore after school we have to travel to Bellefield High school in Manchester to train with them,” saying her brother also assists with the training.
She says she and her teammates go to Bellefield because their school lacks proper training facilities, a school that has produced a number of outstanding athletes, including Commonwealth Games 200m champion Omar Brown and Andrew Fisher, who now represents Bahrain.
Still, she says Smith, who is adept at both events, is a delight to train.
“Neon's approach to her training is fantastic, she is an athlete who don't want to miss a training session,” Tomlin sai.
“For example, she will be sitting eight CSEC subjects, so she has extra classes on a Monday and Wednesday and she make sure she trains after class in the evenings.”
— Paul Reid
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Thursday’s 100th episode of Young Sheldon on CBS turned out to be less of a celebration of the show’s longevity, and more about how the Cooper kids are entering adulthood. Here, Co-Creator and Executive Producer Steven Molaro addresses the episode’s significant plot points, including Missy’s telling comment about Sheldon’s sexuality and whether Georgie is ready to be a dad.
DEADLINE: Since it was the 100th episode, what went through your mind? Were you like, ‘we gotta go big?’ and get former characters from The Big Bang Theory?
STEVEN MOLARO In fact, it was the opposite. We didn’t want to force some kind of quote unquote special episode because it happened to be the number 100. We really just wanted to come up with an episode that we were excited to write and not be constrained by the fact that we were celebrating a number that I think most viewers may not even care about.
DEADLINE Sheldon’s friend Paige is having a hard time in college. What does this story arc mean for Sheldon?
MOLARO Paige (McKenna Grace) and Sheldon (Iain Armitage) go way back. They’re both equally smart, but she has been having trouble dealing with her side of it more than he has, through her parents divorce, which she blamed on herself in previous episodes. And now in this episode, those are troubles for her in college. It’s nice to see Sheldon gain a little perspective about his own experience through the only other person he knows who is in a similar situation.
DEADLINE Sheldon’s conversation with his sister Missy was a good one. He’s trying to figure out ways to entertain Paige while she stays in his dorm room, so he asks his sister for one of her Sassy magazines. (Missy’s response: “I knew it! Okay I’m cool with this. But do not tell dad.”) Is she starting to believe her brother is gay?
MOLARO That is the thought. I think Missy (Raegan Revord) has spent a little time trying to understand who her brother is and what his sexuality might be … which, as we know, through The Big Bang Theory, continues to be quite a question mark for a long time.
DEADLINE This is first overt reference to Sheldon’s sexuality, right?
MOLARO Yes. I think that’s a lot of what’s going on in this current season. Iain and Raegan started off the show when they were 9 and now they’re young adults. They are incredible actors so we can explore more mature moments in the storylines.
DEADLINE That’s a pretty heavy moment, when Georgie (Montana Jordan) learns that he might be a father. First of all, what is the age of consent in Texas?
MOLARO No laws are being broken. It’s not illegal. It’s just a mess.
DEADLINE So this is a story that’s gonna have some legs?
MOLARO Yes, this storyline is ongoing through the end of the season.
DEADLINE Now what about Meemaw (Annie Potts)? Is she and Dale going to get back together soon?
MOLARO I don’t know what’s gonna happen. I can tell you that Craig T. Nelson (Dale), who we love and adore, is not leaving the show. He is still deeply involved in the storylines at the moment. George Sr. is working for him at the sporting good store. So even though Dale and Meemaw are not a couple at the moment, we have no intention of letting him go.
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Subscribe to Deadline Breaking News Alerts and keep your inbox happy. | https://deadline.com/2022/03/young-sheldon-100th-episode-sheldon-gay-georgie-dad-1234992052/ | 2022-04-01T01:55:44Z |
Roblox backs Apple in antitrust case, says App Store offers privacy and security
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March 31 (Reuters) - Online gaming platform Roblox Corp (RBLX.N) said on Thursday Apple Inc's (AAPL.O) App Store offers privacy and safety benefits to its users, supporting the iPhone-maker's bid to beat an appeal by Epic Games in a key U.S. antitrust case.
Epic, known for its "Fortnite" game, largely lost a trial last year over whether Apple's fees and payment rules for app makers were anti-competitive. It appealed in the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. read more
"Apple's process for review and approval of apps available on the App Store enhances safety and security, and provides those apps greater legitimacy in the eyes of users," Roblox said in a legal filing on Thursday.
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Roblox had played a prominent role in the original trial last year. The Department of Justice (DOJ) is probing key revelations from the antitrust trial between Apple and Epic Games, in which the "Fortnite" maker had argued that Apple had given a free pass to Roblox, whose app lets people pick from a selection of games to play.
An Apple senior director described Roblox's offering as "experiences". Soon after, Roblox changed descriptions on its website to "experiences" from "games" and called itself a metaverse company.
Apple has said its rules promote several benefits for consumers, including increased security and privacy. Two former Central Intelligence Agency directors and 21 other former U.S. national security officials advanced that argument in Apple's support on Thursday.
The appeal hearing is expected next year.
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Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. | https://www.reuters.com/business/roblox-backs-apple-antitrust-case-says-app-store-offers-privacy-security-2022-04-01/ | 2022-04-01T01:55:45Z |
Real Madrid seek recovery against Celta after Barca loss, before Chelsea
Issued on: Modified:
Madrid (AFP) – Real Madrid's trip to Celta Vigo might once have been seen as a chance to rest and reset but the Clasico capitulation has raised the stakes ahead of next week's Champions League first leg against Chelsea.
Madrid are nine points clear at the top of La Liga, which should still be more than enough to hold off a resurgent Barca and Sevilla to win the Spanish title.
But Barcelona's 4-0 victory at the Santiago Bernabeu before the international break has left the door just slightly ajar, with Barca hoping their thumping win can prompt an unexpected collapse from their rivals.
"If there is the slightest option to take advantage, we will go for it," Sergio Busquets said.
Madrid will erase the doubts by prevailing at Balaidos while another slip would create a sense of crisis, especially if Barcelona crank up the pressure further by winning a tough game at home to Sevilla on Sunday night.
Carlo Ancelotti has been isolating at home this week after testing positive for Covid-19 and it remains to be seen if the Italian is able to take his place on the bench this weekend.
Ancelotti's symptoms are light and Madrid are confident he will return in time for the first leg at Stamford Bridge.
There are also question marks around the fitness of Karim Benzema, whose absence proved hugely significant against Barcelona, not least because Ancelotti caused havoc in his attempts to replace him. If Benzema is not deemed ready, Celta's chances will be considerably enhanced.
Real Madrid's performance on Saturday will also inform the build-up to their meeting with Chelsea on Wednesday, when they will need to be at their most asssured against Thomas Tuchel's reigning European champions.
Ancelotti might have circled the visit to Vigo as a chance to ease key players back in after some lengthy outings for their national teams but there is less margin now for error, at least psychologically, after the Barca loss.
"I am very sorry for the defeat, I am very sad but I keep it in perspective, which is that we have a nine-point lead in the league and we’re in the quarter-finals of the Champions League," Ancelotti said.
The onus is also on Barcelona to back up their Clasico demolition by beating Sevilla if they retain any hopes of making Madrid feel uncomfortable.
More likely is victory at Camp Nou will accelerate Barca's pursuit of second, with Sevilla only three points in front, having played one game more.
Xavi Hernandez's side are the form team in the division, unbeaten in the league since December and with five victories from their last five matches.
Concerns over Champions League qualification are a distant memory and it is not inconceivable the Catalans achieve both routes to Europe's premier tournament, by finishing in the top four and then winning the Europa League, where they are surely now favourites.
Barcelona would be top of the table if La Liga began in January while Sevilla would be fifth, their own hopes of a title challenge undone by a series of draws in recent weeks.
Seven draws in their last nine games have allowed Real Madrid to pull away and while a top-four place should be secure for Sevilla, Barca and Atletico Madrid could yet finish second and third if the downturn continues.
Atletico, now four points ahead of fifth-placed Real Betis, play at home to Alaves on Saturday, hoping to continue their own revival ahead of Tuesday's first leg against Manchester City. Betis host Osasuna on Sunday.
Fixtures (GMT)
Saturday
Getafe v Mallorca (1300), Levante v Villarreal (1515), Celta Vigo v Real Madrid (1730), Atletico Madrid v Alaves (2000)
Sunday
Athletic Bilbao v Elche (1300), Real Betis v Osasuna (1515), Granada v Rayo Vallecano (1730), Valencia v Cadiz (1730), Barcelona v Sevilla (2000)
Monday
Real Sociedad v Espanyol (2000)
© 2022 AFP | https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220401-real-madrid-seek-recovery-against-celta-after-barca-loss-before-chelsea | 2022-04-01T01:55:45Z |
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Gov. Ricketts Hosts Norm Krug on “The Nebraska Way” Podcast
NEBRASKA, March 31 - Media Contacts:
Justin Pinkerman, 402-471-1967
Alex Reuss, 402-471-1970
Media Release:
Gov. Ricketts Hosts Norm Krug on “The Nebraska Way” Podcast
Listen to episode thirty-five of “The Nebraska Way” podcast by clicking here.
LINCOLN – Today, Governor Pete Ricketts released the 35th episode of “The Nebraska Way,” featuring Norm Krug, Founder and CEO of Preferred Popcorn. During the episode, Krug discusses his passion for agriculture, growing his business in international markets, and overcoming the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Krug has been growing popcorn for over 40 years. He began his company in Chapman, Nebraska, a mile from where he farmed with his father as a child. Preferred Popcorn has expanded to four locations, two in Nebraska, one in Indiana, and one in Mexico. Earlier this month, the company began production at its second Nebraska location in Waco. Along with selling popcorn domestically, Preferred Popcorn exports to over 70 countries.
In addition to founding and running Preferred Popcorn, Krug has served as Vice President for Aurora Cooperative and member and Vice President of the National Popcorn Board. He is currently in his third term as Chairman of the USA Popcorn Institute. Through these leadership positions, he has worked to increase American popcorn sales overseas.
Preferred Popcorn was named the Exporter of the Year in 2014 by the Midwest International Trade Association, and the company was recognized as Manufacturer of the Year by the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce in 2019.
Listen to episode 35 by clicking here. Listen to previous episodes and follow “The Nebraska Way” podcast on SoundCloud by clicking here or on YouTube by clicking here. You can also find the podcast in the iTunes store and on the Apple podcast app.
### | https://www.einpresswire.com/article/567180030/gov-ricketts-hosts-norm-krug-on-the-nebraska-way-podcast | 2022-04-01T01:55:46Z |
As Women's History Month comes to an end, The Texas Instruments (TI) Foundation announced it's awarding $10,000 to one lucky teacher.
KPIP Pleasant Grove Leadership Academy's very own Kristen Dale, an eighth-grade Algebra 1 teacher is set to receive the STEM Teaching Award for her exemplary teaching.
"Ms. Dale is always willing to try new strategies for students to learn and is always thinking about what is best for each individual child in her classroom," said Anne Smead, School Leader for KIPP Pleasant Grove Leadership Academy.
The award ceremony took place Thursday, March 31 at 2 p.m. at the KIPP Pleasant Grove Leadership Academy located at 2200 N. Street Augustine Drive.
Dale will receive $10,000, half of which will go directly to her and the other to be used for her classroom at her discretion.
"This year she became a Middle School Education Fellow with talkSTEM, Texas Women's Foundation and AAAS IF/THEN She Can organization," said Smead. "Throughout all of these different organizations, Ms. Dale has furthered her impact and education in STEM and served as a role model for all of her students."
Dale's love for math dates back to the seventh grade when her teacher recognized her potential which inspired her to continue a career in the subject.
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As a Spellman College alum, Dale went on to earn a Masters's in Teaching and even became a Math for America Fellow.
During her career, she spent the last 10 years tutoring, empowering, and helping countless students along the way. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/texas-instruments-gives-10000-to-dallas-teacher/2929103/ | 2022-04-01T01:55:47Z |
'Broken' System Leaves Disabled Students Without Support
Ninety-nine percent of educational professionals are calling for a complete overhaul of the Ongoing Resourcing Scheme (ORS), which provides support for high needs students who require specialist support in the classroom.
IHC New Zealand has surveyed almost 600 whānau, educators and allied professionals on what they’d like to see change as part of its submission to the High Needs Review.
Overwhelming, respondents have vented their frustration at yet another review that they feel will do nothing more than tinker around the edges.
IHC Advocate Trish Grant says it’s abundantly clear that disabled students’ families, and the professionals who support them, are increasingly concerned about a lack of adequate support for disabled students to be at school, and for schools to do their best by them.
“Disadvantage for disabled ākonga has gone on for too long,” says Trish. “We have very little confidence that the Review will result in any meaningful transformation required for disabled students to get a fair deal.”
“We know that current education laws and policies aren’t fit for purpose, and urgent change is needed to ensure disabled students can succeed alongside their non-disabled peers, no matter where they live or what school they attend.
“Parents and educational professionals want individualised and flexible approaches to reasonably accommodate disabled ākonga, rather than the rationing system currently in place.
“This Review completely ignores the fact that education law and policies are working against disabled students and schools.
Trish says that a child’s right to inclusive education begins with well-equipped and prepared schools that can provide accessible learning and accommodate a child’s individual requirements.
“A whole school and whole system approach are required,” says Trish. “Anything short of replacing the current policy and resourcing framework will fail these students who need individualised support.
“There needs to be greater coordination and alignment with other government disability support, such as Enabling Good Lives, health, justice and child protection.
In its submission to the High Needs Review, IHC has listed 18 recommendations that should be taken by education system stewards to ensure that disabled ākonga have equitable access to, and outcomes from, a quality disability-inclusive education system.
“So much has been spent on propping up a system that fails students and schools,” says Trish. “It’s time we invested in supporting disabled students in ways that allow them to thrive at school.”
ENDS
Quotes from survey respondents
“After nine years of schooling, I can confidently say her being ORS-funded is only of benefit to the school to provide token education. It’s mostly babysitting.” – Whānau/family
“The system is broken. I can only support my child to attend school sporadically if I work a few hours a week.” - Whānau/family
“There are huge gaps at every level of education that impact on children and young people who learn differently to be understood, supported appropriately and succeed while at school and beyond.” - Education professional
“Children need to be included as much as possible, and inclusion should be meaningful and relevant benefiting everyone, not a token gesture just to show that the child is included.” - Education professional
“Early intervention is crucial - why do we have to fight to get the resources we need, and we know the children need to be successful? It is simply unacceptable.” - Education professional
“It is frequently difficult to match students at higher and lower needs with appropriate levels of support. The current system is numbers-based, rather than actual level of need-based.” - Medical professional
CLICK HERE for the full report. | https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED2204/S00004/broken-system-leaves-disabled-students-without-support.htm | 2022-04-01T01:55:47Z |
Hawkins County Commission makes ARPA funding decisions
ROGERSVILLE — The Hawkins County Commission passed two resolutions regarding the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) COVID stimulus funding it received. At Monday’s meeting, the commission first voted to move $10 million of the $11.4 million in ARPA funding it has remaining to a specific account. This is allowed through a...
www.timesnews.net | https://www.newsbreak.com/news/2556265842683/hawkins-county-commission-makes-arpa-funding-decisions | 2022-04-01T01:55:48Z |
Chip shortage: Has Europe's plan arrived too late?
By Chris Baraniuk
Technology of Business reporter
- Published
All his customer wants is a white, standard model, manual transmission VW Golf. But Umesh Samani, a car salesman in Stoke-on-Trent, can't say when it will arrive.
It could be many months, or he fears even a year until delivery.
Extraordinary delays have hit car dealerships up and down the country during the pandemic.
Mr Samani, who is also chairman of the Independent Motor Dealers Association, says manufacturers often tell him the computer chip shortage is to blame. Europe's car makers did not stockpile enough chips from their suppliers - mostly based in Asia - at a time of booming global demand.
This and other factors have led to shuttered car factories and fewer new cars entering the market.
"Used car prices have just gone unbelievable - almost a 30% increase on some of the models," says Mr Samani, while recounting stories of Range Rovers that have added £6,000 to their price tags in just 12 months. There are also people selling used cars for a higher price than they paid for them.
The chip shortage has exposed just how dependent the world is on semiconductor manufacturers in Asia, with the vast majority of chips produced by TSMC in Taiwan alone.
Among those who want to wrestle back some of that market share is the European Commission (EC), which in February announced a Chips Act.
The EC will plough 43bn euros (£36bn) of public and private investment into Europe's semiconductor industry. The Commission hopes to, among other things, increase the region's share of global chip manufacturing - from less than 10% to 20%.
But can Europe really catch-up with the rest of the world? And could this mean the European Union's (EU) car industry - the second largest in the world - will be shielded from future supply shocks in the long-run?
First of all, it is worth noting that not only is the EU currently well behind on chip production, it must also compete with big investment elsewhere.
China poured $33bn (£25bn), purely in subsidies, into its own chip manufacturing industry in 2020. South Korea, also plans to spend almost half a trillion dollars via support packages, tax incentives and other measures over the next decade.
In order for Europe and the US - which also has ambitions to increase its market share in this sector - to truly compete, huge sums of money are required from both public and private sources, says Anisha Bhatia, an analyst at GlobalData.
But spending it is important, she argues, for geopolitical and business reasons, since Asia currently totally dominates the semiconductor industry.
"There needs to be a little more balance," she argues.
The trouble is that Europe is behind on multiple fronts, not just the manufacturing of chips.
There are also relatively few firms within the EU that design new chips for use in technology products. That is in stark contrast to the US, which already has a sizeable semiconductor design industry. US firms lead the way in determining which chips actually get made.
There is little sense in spending huge sums of money on manufacturing capabilities in a region as expensive for that sort of thing as Europe, without having more control over chip design, explains Alicia Garcia-Herrero, chief economist for Asia-Pacific at Natixis, an investment bank.
"I'm not sure this is the right strategy, to be frank," she says, referring to the Chips Act, "We should spend more money on design."
This sentiment is backed up by a report from German think tank, Stiftung Neue Verantwortung (SNV), which published a policy brief last year on the lack of semiconductor manufacturing in Europe. The report suggests that with few Europe-designed chips, any new chip factories, or "fabs", in the region would need to seek orders from elsewhere, such as the US.
"Why would [US firms without semiconductor-manufacturing capabilities] choose to manufacture their chips not in South Korea, Taiwan or the United States but in Europe?" the brief asked.
There are other problems, too. Thanks to improvements in technology, chips have been getting smaller and smaller for years. The latest are just a few nanometres (nm) across. This is referred to as "node size". But Europe makes hardly any of these most advanced chips, meaning the region has little experience in this area.
Also, semiconductors are manufactured on large discs called wafers, which are then split into thousands of smaller pieces - the individual chips themselves.
Over time, the size of these wafers has increased to allow more chips to be made at once. Cutting-edge chips are generally made on 300mm wafers today, says Koray Köse, an analyst at Gartner.
While Europe does have some production capacity for 300mm wafers, it is very far behind the US and Asia.
That leads to the question - what sort of chips Europe should be aiming to produce and why - as Europe is currently behind on everything and must choose its battles.
"There is no Apple, or Foxconn, manufacturing location in Spain that would consume gazillions of 300mm wafer products," says Mr Köse.
European industry, in general, does not require many of the cutting edge, sub-10mm chips, says Julia Hess at SNV, who adds, "The demand in Europe is basically focused on industrial and automotive demands and these kind of chips do not rely on cutting edge fabrication."
In theory, Europe could try to improve its capacity for producing the older, larger chips.
But this strategy wouldn't be easy to do either, because of equipment constraints and the fact that many countries around the world - including those with much lower costs - are trying to do this right now.
It is also worth noting that current headaches with chip production, although still ongoing, are beginning to clear up. Analysis from Gartner suggests that there will actually be a global surplus of chips again in around two years' time.
It's not that Europe can't improve its position in the semiconductor industry, but these analysts tend to agree that reacting to the recent shortage by attempting to boost manufacturing alone would not be a straightforward, or wise, decision.
And as Jan-Peter Kleinhans, also of SNV, says, trying to shore-up production of chips in Europe to shield the car industry from future supply shocks will likely not be effective, since the industry will still, inevitably, rely on global supply chains.
"A modern car needs hundreds of different chips sourced from countless fabs worldwide," he says. "How does it increase your resilience against supply disruptions if you source [a percentage] of those chips domestically?
Instead, he suggests, car makers and other industries in Europe should make their supply chains more resilient by making them more transparent - and stockpiling chips in advance of the next crisis. | https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-60554228?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=KARANGA | 2022-04-01T01:55:49Z |
NEW YORK (AP) — Kyle Palmieri scored the go-ahead goal early in the third period to lift the New York Islanders to a 5-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday night.
Mathew Barzal had a goal and an assist, and Sebastian Aho, Oliver Wahlstrom and Ryan Pulock also scored as New York improved to 7-1 in their last eight home games dating to a 6-0 win against the Blue Jackets on March 10.
Semyon Varlamov made 30 saves in his second consecutive start and third straight appearance with Ilya Sorokin sidelined with an upper-body injury.
Emil Bemstrom and Justin Danforth scored for Columbus, which lost its fifth straight. Elvis Merzlikins made 31 saves.
Palmieri broke a 2-2 tie at 3:16 of the third period with his 12th goal of the season. The 31-year-old winger breezed by Blue Jackets forward Patrik Laine and roofed a wrist shot to give New York a one-goal advantage. Merlikins was unable to close off the short side and Palmieri took advantage of the opening.
Barzal stretched the Islanders' lead to 4-2 with a pretty breakaway deke after he blew by two Blue Jackets defenders in the neutral zone at 9:52 of the third period.
Pulock added an empty-net goal in the final minute.
The Blue Jackets erased a two-goal deficit in a span of 1:39 midway through the second period. The Islanders left Bemstrom all alone at the top of the crease and he finished a pass from Eric Robinson at 8:47. Jake Bean also assisted on the play.
Danforth tied it at 2 with his fifth goal of the season. Yegor Chinakov skated into the offensive zone and found Vladislav Gavrikov in the slot after Islanders defenseman Zdeno Chara prevented the forward from getting behind him. Varlamov stopped the initial shot from Gavrikov, but was unable to hold onto the rebound and Danforth was able to capitalize.
The Islanders took a 2-0 lead with two goals in 11 seconds midway through the first period.
Aho opened the scoring when he stopped short and wired a wrist shot over the glove of Merzlikins at 8:39. Brock Nelson extended his point streak to six games with an assist on the play.
Wahlstrom extended the Islanders lead to 2-0 after he buried a feed from Zach Parise at 8:50. Barzal started the sequence with a floating backhand that Parise was able to corral in the offensive zone.
New York outshot Columbus 10-0 in the first half of the opening frame.
90 YEARS YOUNG
The Islanders honored hockey historian and veteran journalist Stan Fischler at the game to celebrate his 90th birthday. "The Hockey Maven” has been a hockey television personality in the northeast since the early 1970s and has authored over 100 books. He began his career with the New York Rangers in the 1950s, working in the team’s public relations department.
COVID IN COLUMBUS
Blue Jackets coach Brad Larsen and assistant coach Steve McCarthy were placed in the COVID-19 protocols and each missed their second straight game. Associate coach Pascal Vincent led the team behind the bench. ... D Zach Weresnki missed his second straight game after he sustained a hit to the head late in the late first period of Saturday night’s 3-2 overtime loss against Minnesota.
MARCH MAYHEM
The Islanders closed out a hectic March schedule with a 10-6-1 record. The 17 games New York played in March are the most the franchise has played in a single month in franchise history.
DIVISION FOES
Nine of the final 16 games remaining in the Islanders' regular season are against division opponents. The Islanders are 8-2-1 against Metropolitan teams since returning from the holiday break.
UP NEXT
Blue Jackets: Visit the Boston Bruins on Saturday night.
Islanders: Visit the New York Rangers on Friday night.
—
More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://www.thehour.com/sports/article/Islanders-use-strong-third-period-to-top-Blue-17049940.php | 2022-04-01T01:55:49Z |
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Russell Knox recorded four straight birdies on the back nine and fired a 7-under 65 on Thursday for a one-shot lead after the opening round of the Valero Texas Open.
Knox closed out his round with a seven-foot putt to save par at the par-5 18th at TPC San Antonio, and was one shot ahead of Rasmus Hojgaard.
Hojgaard fired a 66 despite a double bogey on his final hole. Matt Kuchar is another stroke back after an opening 5-under 67 and is among a group that includes Denny McCarthy, Aaron Rei and J.J. Spaun.
Defending champ Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy finished at even-par 72. They were outside the top 60 after one round and could flirt with the cut line on Friday.
Bryson DeChambeau had a 1-over 73. After holing a bunker shot for eagle on his 11th hole and following with a birdie on the next, he made bogey on four of his last six holes.
Knox, a 32-year-old Scotsman with two career PGA Tour wins, started his birdie streak at No. 12. All of his birdie putts were inside 10 feet. At the 15th, he was about 20 feet away from a back pin position following his approach and chipped in from the fringe. It was his second chip-in in the round.
“That was one of those kind of bonus birdies that you need when you’re going to have a good day,” Knox said. “Obviously thrilled with the round. It’s been more of the way I want to play.”
Hogjaard, a 21-year-old from Denmark and two-rime winner on the European Tour, had his sights on the first-round lead heading to his closing hole. But, his drive sailed well left of the fairway. It took him four shots to reach the green on the par-4 ninth.
“I had to chip sideways back into the fairway,” he said. “Just was a little too aggressive after that. Yeah, short-sided myself and I didn’t get up and down and suddenly you walk away with double-bogey. Yeah, that was a bit annoying, but it happens.”
Kuchar was 5 under after 11 holes. Thirty feet away from the pin on the next hole, he failed to get up and down and missed a seven-foot putt for par. He got a shot back with a birdie on his 14th hole, and parred out, falling short in a bid to match his season-best round of 64 at the Sony Open, where he finished in the top 10.
“A lot of good and bad that can happen here on this course,” Kuchar said. “I was kind of managing early on in the round and then found a little something on about the fifth or sixth hole. I started having some birdie chances and converted on a few late in my first nine.”
Kuchar has won nine times on the PGA Tour. McCarthy, Rai and Spaun are looking for their first.
___
More AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://www.myjournalcourier.com/sports/article/Knox-uses-4-birdie-run-for-a-one-stroke-lead-at-17049836.php | 2022-04-01T01:55:49Z |
Costs top Americans' health care concerns, new poll finds
Americans' biggest health care priorities revolve largely around affordability, according to a new Kaiser Family Foundation poll, with most wanting to see Congress tackle drug prices. More broadly, inflation and rising costs dominate the public's concerns.
The findings, released Thursday, show that 55% of Americans call inflation and rising prices the biggest problem facing the U.S., far ahead of the Russian invasion of Ukraine (18%), climate change (6%), the COVID-19 pandemic (6%) or crime (6%).
That's true across party lines, although the sentiment is most pronounced within the GOP: About 70% of Republicans call inflation the country's biggest issue, compared with 53% of independents and 46% of Democrats.
Similarly, other recent polls have found the rising cost of living dominating Americans' minds. In a new Quinnipiac poll, 30% of Americans picked inflation as the most urgent issue facing the U.S., with the Russia/Ukraine crisis following at just 14%. NBC polling also found Americans more focused on economic concerns than foreign policy or other issues. And a new Gallup survey said 17% of Americans cited inflation as the nation's top problem, the highest level in its polling since 1985.
The focus on costs remains even when Americans are asked specifically about their priorities for possible health care legislation, the KFF poll finds. Most U.S. adults (61%) say it should be a priority for Congress to limit how much drug companies can raise prescription drug prices each year to no more than the rate of inflation. About half (53%) say Congress should make it a priority to cap out-of-pocket costs for insulin at $35 monthly and to place a limit on out-of-pocket health care costs for seniors (52%).
Fewer, 42%, call it a priority to expand government-provided health insurance in states that have not expanded Medicaid access or to increase funding for access to mental health services and training for mental health providers. Only 25% say that providing more COVID-19 pandemic response funding should be a priority.
"The public's priorities in health reflect deep concern about prices of everything right now, including drug prices," KFF President and CEO Drew Altman said in a news release. "That doesn't mean other things that have long been popular do not have public support too; they do. It just means prices are the preeminent concern."
In their personal finances, most Americans express at least some worry about being able to afford gasoline or other transportation costs (71%) and unexpected medical bills (58%), with many concerned about paying for monthly utility bills (50%) and food (47%). In February 2020, just 40% worried about paying for gas, 38% about monthly utilities and 34% about food, KFF found.
Concerns are magnified for lower-income Americans. Nearly 8 in 10 Americans in households making less than $40,000 a year say they worry about affording as or transportation costs, with more than 6 in 10 also concerned about affording unexpected medical bills (66%), monthly utilities (65%), rent or mortgage payments (63%) and food (62%).
About half of Americans, 51%, say they've put off or gone without some form of medical service in the past year because of its costs.
Twelve years after its passage, the Affordable Care Act remains popular, the KFF poll finds, with 55% of the public viewing it favorably. About one-quarter, 24%, say the law has directly helped them and their family, with 20% saying it hurt them and the rest that it's had no direct effect.
Of those who say they've seen a positive personal impact, about half say the ACA mainly helped by letting someone in their family get or keep health coverage, with 30% saying the ACA mainly made it easier to get needed health care and 20% that it mainly lowered health care or health insurance costs.
Views of both the ACA and its effects are also sharply divided along partisan lines, with 43% of Democrats and just 7% of Republicans saying the ACA has helped them.
Among Americans under 65 who have private health insurance, 56% say they know nothing about the No Surprises Act, a law taking effect this year that protects people with private health insurance from getting large medical bills when they accidentally receive out-of-network health care. Only about 21% say they know even something about the legislation. | https://www.4029tv.com/article/americans-health-care-concerns/39593902 | 2022-04-01T01:55:50Z |
KANSAS CITY, MO. — A former high school football coach and teacher at Braymer High School now faces a dozen charges related to sexual misconduct with a student.
The Caldwell County, Missouri, Prosecutor's Office charged Zachary Douglas, 29, Thursday in a second amended complaint with four counts of sexual abuse, four counts of sexual contact with a student and two counts of statutory sodomy, according to court records.
All of those charges are felonies.
Caldwell also is charged in the same Caldwell County case with furnishing pornographic material or attempt to furnish to a minor and sexual misconduct.
Those charges are misdemeanors.
The 12 charges come less than a month after prosecutors charged Douglas with six other sex charges in a case involving two other students.
The latest cases accuse Douglas of improperly touching a student and sending the student pornographic pictures of himself, according to court documents.
Court documents state the victim is a juvenile.
In the first case, Douglas allegedly sent dozens of pornographic pictures and videos via a Snapchat account to other teen girls.
Caldwell County Sheriff's Department deputies interviewed Douglas about the cases involving the two teen victims.
He admitted sending the photos and videos and he knew the two girls were between 14 and 17 years of age, according to a court document.
Douglas is no longer listed as a teacher on the district's website.
— | https://www.kshb.com/news/crime/former-braymer-missouri-teacher-faces-12-new-charges-in-sexual-misconduct-cases | 2022-04-01T01:55:50Z |
UVM basketball's Georges Lefebvre to leave program, enter transfer portal
University of Vermont men's basketball reserve Georges Lefebvre is on the move.
The sophomore forward has entered the transfer portal, according to Verbal Commits, which first Tweeted the news on Thursday evening.
The Montreal native Lefebvre also took to social media to offer appreciation to Vermont and its fans.
"I would like to thank UVM and Catamount Country for 2 amazing years of countless memories! I have decided to enter into the transfer portal and reopen my recruitment!" Lefebvre wrote on Twitter.
Lefebvre is the second Catamount to leave the program in 10 days, joining junior guard Eric Beckett, who decided to continue his basketball career elsewhere.
The 6-foot-9, 200-pound Lefebvre only saw action in 16 games, totaling 44 minutes, over his two seasons in Burlington. This past winter, Lefebvre entered in 11 games and scored a career-high four points in Vermont's win over Maine in the regular-season finale on March 1.
More:UVM men's basketball lands first two recruits of 2022 freshman class
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Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter: @aabrami5. | https://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/sports/college/vermont/2022/03/31/vermont-basketball-george-lefebvre-leave-program-enter-transfer-portal/7237670001/ | 2022-04-01T01:55:50Z |
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World & Nation
Officials say Russian forces have withdrawn from Chernobyl plant
Energoatom, which oversees Ukraine’s nuclear power plants, said that Russian forces had withdrawn from Chernobyl.
March 31, 2022
5:54 PM PT
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Videos: Latest | https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/nv3s-tqg-2g-123 | 2022-04-01T01:55:50Z |
Quality key to Immaculate Champs plan, says Forde
Thursday, March 31, 2022Immaculate Conception High School is known primarily for girls who score very good grades in exams but over the past few years they have been slowly making waves in the area of athletics.
In 2019 they had their best-ever placing of 6th at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys' and Girls' Athletics Championships under Head Coach Franz Forde, where they turned heads and got lots of attention from track and field aficionados.
Now after a small lull in their performances, brought on primarily by the pandemic, but also by the graduation of a few of their better athletes, Immaculate is set to deliver yet another pristine and polished display at Champs.
Forde is the man with the plan to challenge the status quo that at the moment sees the winner of Girls' Champs going to a school from central Jamaica year after year.
“We are recovering from the pandemic and we needed time to get ourselves sorted out again.
“We had a lot more discussions with the girls. We had a slouchy season in 2020 and 2021 was the same thing, so we told them that we just need you guys to come out here and deliver and believe in yourselves,” he said after a dominant performance in the short sprints at the Corporate Area Development Meet (CADM) earlier this month.
Forde revealed that the coaching staff has been extending themselves beyond the norm to ensure that the girls are being prepared well enough to deliver according to expectations.
“The girls have been working, the coaching staff has been working very hard, we have extended our hours, we go above and beyond and to be quite honest, that's one of the main reasons why you are seeing the difference.”
Their performances at the CADM shocked many, but not Forde, who had charged his girls to deliver at their very best at that event.
“We did, we really did expect it. We told them what we needed to do in order to come out and medal. We are small in numbers, but we are fierce, and we have quality and that is what we are working with, we are working with the quality,” he said.
Forde also explained that his athletes are intrinsically motivated and are up for the challenge of Champs.
“The girls are already hard on themselves and they have their numbers that they are looking forward to and all they need them to do, is just to go out there and to deliver.”
According to Forde, all the pieces of the puzzle are in place for a good Champs.
“The girls are just working hard, and the truth is we have a strong management team, we have a strong backing of the school [and] our principal works really hard. It's a new principal and she came out and anything that we asked for, once she realize that we do need it, she gives it to us. So, it's the supporting factor that is really there.”
Having swept the 100m in all four classes as the CADM, Immaculate will be hoping for a few podium finishes, if not gold medals in that event and others at the five-day athletic festival next week.
— Dwayne Richards
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- Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy | https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sports/quality-key-to-immaculate-champs-plan-says-forde_247515 | 2022-04-01T01:55:50Z |
Analyst breaks down criticism of Clemson’s Dabo Swinney
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Dabo Swinney is entering his 15th season as Clemson football’s head coach, and despite two National Championships and seven conference championships, he often faces scrutiny from fans.
Recently, Josh Pate of 247Sports and host of Late Kick Extra, broke down a tweet that cast judgment on Swinney and the future of Clemson’s program.
Posted by @GeorgiaSports32, the tweet reads:
“What is your view on Dabo Swinney and the success he’s had at Clemson. Obviously, he had a part in their 2 national championships, but I’m a believer that [Brent] Venables, Deshaun Watson, and [Trevor] Lawrence are the only reason he’s viewed as such a great coach. Imo, Clemson is on its way down.”
After reading the tweet, Pate immediately defended Swinney for the culture he has developed at Clemson.
“This entire premise [that] Dabo Swinney is only a product of the assistant coaches he’s surrounded himself with and the players he’s recruited, well, that’s all any head coach is a product of,” Pate said.
“Sure, Dabo Swinney’s a product of having really great players. And, sure, he’s a product of benefiting from really great coaches. Who implemented the culture that attracted all of that? Because that’s a head coach’s ultimate job.”
Although Pate defended the culture and winningness of Swinney, he believes that Clemson was stale last season, and the team now faces a crossroads with the departure of Venables and former offensive coordinator Tony Elliott.
In Pate’s mind, Swinney’s decision to promote Clemson’s new coordinators from within now raises the million-dollar question if Swinney can further sustain his success.
“I don’t know if they’re on the way down, but it’s one of the most interesting programs to watch this year because of those elements in play,” Pate said. | https://sports.yahoo.com/analyst-breaks-down-criticism-clemson-010951561.html?src=rss | 2022-04-01T01:55:50Z |
Jeff Turkanis Named Chief Investment Officer
Taryn Fielder Named General Counsel
JERSEY CITY, N.J., March 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Veris Residential, Inc. (NYSE: VRE), a forward-thinking, environmentally- and socially-conscious REIT that primarily owns, operates, acquires, and develops Class A multifamily properties, today announced two executive appointments designed to further support the company's transition into a pure-play multifamily REIT and drive long-term shareholder value.
Jeff Turkanis, former Head of U.S. Residential at Oxford Properties Group, has been appointed Chief Investment Officer, succeeding Ricardo Cardoso, effective April 4, and Taryn Fielder, former General Counsel at WashREIT, has been appointed General Counsel, succeeding Gary Wagner, effective April 18. Messrs. Cardoso and Wagner will be leaving the company to pursue other opportunities following a transition period.
Mahbod Nia, Chief Executive Officer of Veris Residential, said, "We are pleased to welcome Jeff and Taryn to Veris Residential as we continue to strengthen our team with top professionals who have significant experience working across private and publicly traded residential real estate. Jeff's intricate knowledge of the residential sector and impressive track record of sourcing and executing strategic investments, coupled with Taryn's breadth of experience that includes providing strategic advice for a variety of complex real estate transactions, will be invaluable as we continue our transition to a pure-play multifamily REIT.
"Importantly, I would like to thank Ricardo and Gary for their decades of dedicated service to Veris Residential and wish them all the best as they explore the next chapter of their careers."
Mr. Turkanis' extensive real estate investment experience includes over $15 billion in transactions concluded primarily across the office and residential sectors. He has been focused specifically on the residential sector (predominantly multifamily) for the past 8 years, closing over $4 billion in transactions during this time. As Chief Investment Officer, he will be responsible for overseeing the sale of non-strategic assets, identifying potential value enhancement opportunities within Veris Residential's existing portfolio, and sourcing potential new investment opportunities. Prior to his more than decade-long tenure at Oxford Properties Group, Mr. Turkanis held roles at Putnam Investments and Fortress Investment Group. He earned a BBA from Washington University in St. Louis and an MBA, Real Estate from Columbia Business School.
Ms. Fielder has significant experience providing legal counsel for capital market transactions, as well as securities, corporate governance, and regulatory compliance matters. Prior to WashREIT, she served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel for ASB Real Estate Investments and was Assistant General Counsel for publicly-traded REIT DiamondRock Hospitality Company. Earlier in her career, she worked in the Real Estate Group at Hogan Lovells, and practiced corporate and real estate law with Simpson, Thacher and Bartlett LLP. Ms. Fielder earned a BA summa cum laude from Eckerd College and her JD from Harvard Law School.
In connection with the hiring of Ms. Fielder and Mr. Turkanis, and also in connection with the previous hiring of Ms. Amanda Lombard as Chief Accounting Officer, who will assume the role of Chief Financial Officer on April 1, 2022, Veris Residential is also announcing, as required by New York Stock Exchange Listed Company Manual Rule 303A.08, equity awards to be made to those three executives as a material inducement to their entering into employment with the company. All of the awards were approved by the Compensation Committee of the Veris Residential Board of Directors and will be made effective April 18, 2022, or such later date as the Chair of the Compensation Committee may determine. The awards to Ms. Lombard and Ms. Fielder are each in the form of restricted stock units; Mr. Turkanis will receive a restricted stock unit award and a stock option award.
The restricted stock unit award to Ms. Lombard will have a grant date fair value of $150,000 and will generally vest ratably on each of the first three anniversaries of the date of grant. The restricted stock unit award to Ms. Fielder will have a grant date fair value of $400,000 and will generally vest 60% on December 31, 2022, 20% on December 31, 2023 and 20% on the third anniversary of the date of grant. The restricted stock unit award to Mr. Turkanis will have a grant date fair value of $425,000 and will generally vest 50% on the first anniversary of the date of grant and 25% on each of the next two anniversaries of the grant date. The option grant to Mr. Turkanis will cover 250,000 shares, have an exercise price equal to the closing price of the underlying stock on the date of grant, generally vest and become exercisable ratably on each of the first three anniversaries of the date of grant, and have a maximum six-year term. All of the awards are subject to accelerated vesting in certain circumstances. The awards will all be made outside of Veris Residential's existing 2013 Incentive Stock Plan but will be subject to terms and conditions generally consistent with those in that plan, other than with respect to such terms and conditions intended to comply with the NYSE inducement award exception.
About Veris Residential, Inc.
Veris Residential, Inc. is a forward-thinking, environmentally- and socially-conscious real estate investment trust (REIT) that primarily owns, operates, acquires, and develops holistically-inspired, Class A multifamily properties that meet the sustainability-conscious lifestyle needs of today's residents while seeking to positively impact the communities it serves and the planet at large. The company is guided by an experienced management team and Board of Directors and is underpinned by leading corporate governance principles, a best-in-class and sustainable approach to operations, and an inclusive culture based on equality and meritocratic empowerment. For additional information on Veris Residential, Inc. and our properties available for lease, please visit http://www.verisresidential.com/.
For Veris Residential:
Amanda Shpiner/Grace Cartwright
Gasthalter & Co.
212-257-4170
veris-residential@gasthalter.com
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Mumbai: It was another bad day in the office for Chennai Super Kings as they lost to Lucknow Super Kings on Thursday in a high-scoring thriller at the Brabourne stadium. With the loss, Lucknow- who are making their IPL debut – have registered their first win. After the game, it was heartwarming to see Lucknow mentor Gautam Gambhir greet ex-CSK captain MS Dhoni. The two had a long conversation just ahead of the post-match presentation.
Initially, Dhoni was chatting with Lucknow pacer Avesh Khan and that is when Gambhir pulled Dhoni aside to have a word with him. The video of the meeting surfaced on the internet and has since gone viral.
Gautam Gambhir & MS Dhoni ❤️
That’s the tweet#MSDhoni #CSKvsLSG pic.twitter.com/KcyNHoS8Pd
Arth Vaishnav EF (@ArthVaishnav) March 31, 2022
Gambhir also took to social media and posted a picture with Dhoni. He captioned it as, “It was nice catching up with the skipper.”
View this post on Instagram
Gambhir was a part of the 2011 World Cup side that lifted the crown under the leadership of Dhoni. Gambhir was one of the key members of the squad and he was the star in the final against Sri Lanka.
In the past, there have been several rumours about rift between the two. And hence, it was even more important for fans to see the duo happy in each others company.
Meanwhile, this is the first time in the history of the IPL that CSK has lost their opening two games. | https://www.cricketcountry.com/news/gautam-gambhir-greeting-ms-dhoni-after-lsg-beat-csk-goes-viral-watch-video-1017480 | 2022-04-01T01:55:50Z |
Fried chicken meets fine dining: putting haute KFC to the taste test
For some it’s a guilty pleasure, a road trip tradition, a reward for the kids or a Friday night blowout. But now KFC - somehow the most sinful of all the fast foods - has become something else entirely: haute cuisine.
As far as marketing stunts go, it’s a winner. More than 20,000 Sydneysiders supposedly signed up for a seat at the KFC Degustation Restaurant, an 11-course romp through popcorn chicken, Twisters and Zinger burgers - deconstructed, reimagined and dolled up by executive chef Nelly Robinson.
Only 180 diners over three nights will be admitted to the top secret set-up down an Alexandria laneway. In a city that fawns over trendy restaurants, this is bizarrely one of the hardest tables in town to nab (at $75-a-head, for charity, it is also one of Sydney’s most affordable degustations).
But how does this Frankenstein feast stack up on the culinary front? Can those 11 secret herbs and spices survive the transition from greasy cardboard box to the fine dining table? Is any of this stuff actually edible while sober?
We won’t get an answer on that front because, unlike most KFC restaurants, there’s champagne on arrival - a stellar innovation in this correspondent’s book. A host shows us to our seats, and we are offered sparking or still water while PR agents buzz about the room fawning and spruiking.
The meal begins with a soft tomato-ey marshmallow dusted in those stubbornly secret spices, and is quickly followed by something they’re calling a Zinger katsu - a piece of fried chicken stacked on a potato block, drizzled with curry mayo and dill.
Then comes the allegedly “supercharged” wings, which resemble your normal KFC chicken wings, except (as per fine dining custom) smaller. They are cooked on a bed of charcoal and set alight at the table, which makes a nice change from the deep fryer.
By this time we have noticed the candle on our table has melted curiously quickly. Greater alarm sets in when the waiter starts pouring something on the melted wax. Of course, it transpires the candle was made of gravy and this is Robinson’s take on KFC’s venerated potato and gravy tubs.
Paired wines arrive, and what vineyard wouldn’t be thrilled to learn it has been judged the best accompaniment to fried chicken? Or, indeed, Zinger kingfish. Robinson told us this controversial creation was the subject of much disagreement with the powers-that-be, who were not convinced fish belonged on a KFC menu.
“This went on and on and on until I won,” Robinson said.
A Twister follows in two parts; first, Colonel Sanders’ face is drawn on a plate with tomato, lettuce, pepper mayo and KFC flavouring. It can only be consumed by licking - perhaps another fine dining first - and precedes a mini Twister embellished with pearl barley risotto, sundried tomato and Manchego cheese in a spinach tortilla, adorned with an edible flower “just to make it posh”.
We move on to this correspondent’s pick of the bunch - a reinvention of the humble delicacy of popcorn chicken. Here the chicken bites are dunked in a roast garlic mushroom soup which also hosts little pillows of mushroom gnocchi, topped with parsley chips.
By this point, one’s enthusiasm for fried chicken may begin to wane, gunned down by attrition, but the main event is still to come; an Original Recipe drumstick rolled in deep-fried “gold quinoa”. No contemporary degustation would be complete without quinoa, but this rocky accoutrement isn’t to everyone’s taste.
A dessert of wattle seed ice cream is popular at our table, and we imagine ourselves shamelessly demanding it from a hapless teenage cashier at George Street KFC at 3.30am after a night out.
The British-born Robinson loves a gimmick; he previously created a Disney-inspired degustation menu and an Aussie feast featuring dishes like ‘vegemite focaccia’ and ‘bunnings sausage sizzle’.
It’s obviously not vegetarian friendly, and it’s not likely to earn many Michelin stars, but there’s no doubt this KFC caper is a bit of fun. It’s fast food for the Instagram generation and, surprisingly, it works - even the fussy foodies on our table were suitably impressed.
You’ll avoid the grease trap, too; there’s surprisingly little need for the refresher toilette when you’re eating fried chicken with a knife and fork.
The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here. | https://www.theage.com.au/national/fried-chicken-meets-fine-dining-putting-haute-kfc-to-the-taste-test-20220331-p5a9pw.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_national | 2022-04-01T01:55:50Z |
Taiwan puppeteers look to NFTs to keep their art alive
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YUNLIN, Taiwan, April 1 (Reuters) - A group of Taiwanese puppeteers are looking to use non-fungible tokens, or NFTs, to help bring their traditional art form into the modern era and keep it relevant for a new audience.
NFTs are crypto assets representing a digital item such as an image, video, or even land in virtual worlds, with prices of some rising so fast last year that speculators around the world sometimes "flipped" them within days for a profit.
Pili International Multimedia (8450.TWO), which makes Taiwan's longest-running television show featuring the puppets at its studio in central Taiwan's Yunlin County, says it wants to use NFTs as another source of revenue.
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"The sort of imagination everyone nowadays has for the online world is developing so fast that we are almost unable to grasp it," said Seika Huang, Pili's brand director.
"Instead of sitting on the sidelines, the best approach is to go ahead and understand fully what's going on. This is the fastest way to catch up."
Pili has thousands of glove puppet characters, a traditional part of Taiwanese street entertainment culture spinning colourful and highly stylised stories of heroic courage and romance, often with martial arts.
The puppets are painstakingly created, and expertly manoeuvred during the filming of the shows, with costumes that are sewn on and strands of hair meticulously put in place.
Pili said four of their puppet characters were made into digital versions and 30,000 sets have been sold as NFTs.
The company declined to reveal the profit-sharing with the market platform, but said prices for each set started at $40, translating to generated revenue of at least $1.2 million, since their listing in early February.
Marketing technology company VeVe, which is in charge of selling the NFTs, said the stories of the puppet heroes resonates with a younger crowd and could draw in foreign fans of super hero films, such as those based on characters from Marvel Comics.
"Westerners actually really like our martial arts heroes and kung-fu," said VeVe's brand manager Raymond Chou.
Huang, who said their initial listings had sold out seconds after launching on VeVe, is now working on transforming up to 50 other puppet characters into NFTs, potentially adding another million-dollar revenue stream for the studio.
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Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. | https://www.reuters.com/business/taiwan-puppeteers-look-nfts-keep-their-art-alive-2022-04-01/ | 2022-04-01T01:55:51Z |
Scandal-tainted candidates face off in Costa Rican presidential run-off
Issued on: Modified:
San José (AFP) – Costa Ricans head to the polls on Sunday to elect a new president, facing a choice between a candidate once investigated for corruption and another once demoted over sexual harassment allegations.
Both centrist former president Jose Maria Figueres and conservative ex-finance minister Rodrigo Chaves deny the allegations.
Campaigning has focused on how the hopefuls would address Costa Rica's central troubles: an external debt that is 70 percent of GDP, high levels of poverty -- at 23 percent -- and unemployment -- at 14 percent -- and corruption scandals in the public sector.
Chaves was a surprise qualifier for Sunday's run-off, having polled fourth ahead of February's first round.
He was the favorite in the most recent opinion polls, with almost 42 percent support, compared to 38 percent for Figueres, whose father Jose Figueres was also president.
But some 18 percent of people say they are undecided, which is what makes this election so hard to call.
"It's very difficult to pin down what either Figueres or Chaves want to do," said economist and analyst Daniel Suchar.
Suchar said the country frequently faces the same problem, with voters focusing on the candidates -- and their foibles -- rather than their policies.
'Lifting economy is priority'
Costa Rica has been described as the "happiest" country in Latin America, but its vital tourism industry was hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic.
Alongside Peru, it suffered the largest fall in employment figures in the region between 2019 and 2020, a drop of 14 percent.
"At a socioeconomic level the country has radically deteriorated, even before the pandemic with structural unemployment and the weak situation of public finances," said Alejandro Molina, an analyst from the National Policy Observatory at the University of Costa Rica.
Tourism is one of the major motors of the local economy and Costa Rica is a world leader in environmental protection, making it a key eco-tourism destination.
"The priority right now is lifting and reactivating the economy... and creating employment options for the great quantity of unemployed people," 35-year-old auditor Andres Fonseca told AFP in the capital San Jose.
Whoever wins the election will face the challenge of governing without a parliamentary majority, and will thus need to work with opposition parties to pass any policies.
Both men have reached this final stage of the election despite the specter of past scandals.
Chaves, who spent six months as finance minister in the outgoing government, was investigated over sexual harassment complaints brought by multiple women while he was a senior official at the World Bank.
He was demoted, though not fired, and has dismissed his behavior as "jokes" that were "misinterpreted due to cultural differences."
For some of his supporters, Chaves's history has nothing to do with Costa Rica's election.
"I hope he will bring salvation... Those that criticize him are not in the economic situation that most of the population is in," said Rolando Gutierrez, a supporter.
Analyst Gina Sibaja said Chaves' continued appeal shows sexism is deep-rooted in the country.
"Those who lose the most are us women... He was victimized by his punishment and that has generated empathy, although mostly amongst men given that harassment in Costa Rica is an everyday occurrence."
Chaves, an economist who worked for 30 years at the World Bank, has been campaigning on corruption reform, vowing to "clean the house."
'They don't represent us'
Figueres, president from 1994-99, was investigated for allegedly taking some $900,000 from French engineering firm Alcatel, which has admitted to bribing officials.
The ex-president, who worked abroad at the time as executive director of the World Economic Forum (WEF), refused to give evidence in the case in 2004 and returned to Costa Rica only in 2011 when the investigation expired.
His father was the one who abolished Costa Rica's army as president in 1948.
Figueres has focused on his experience on the campaign trail, and criticized his opponent's lack of it.
"I will vote for Figueres because Costa Rica needs a change," said one of his supporters, Karla Zuniga.
"The economy has been destroyed and there is no clear decision making."
Figueres represents the centrist National Liberation Party (PLN), which won nine out of 15 elections between 1953 and 2010.
Chaves leads the newly formed right-wing Social Democratic Progress Party.
But at least one portion of the electorate is unimpressed with the choice on offer.
"Neither of them represents us," said Rocio Jimenez, a member of the Women to the Fore collective.
"They represent the whole patriarchal structure and neither of them will defend women's rights."
Some 3.5 million of Costa Rica's five million people are eligible to vote.
© 2022 AFP | https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220401-scandal-tainted-candidates-face-off-in-costa-rican-presidential-run-off | 2022-04-01T01:55:51Z |
You need to enable JavaScript to run this app. | https://sportspyder.com/mlb/cincinnati-reds/articles/39012036 | 2022-04-01T01:55:52Z |
Windies Women crash out after Australia mauling
Thursday, March 31, 2022WELLINGTON, New Zealand (CMC) — West Indies' dream of reaching the ICC Women's World Cup final ended in tatters here Wednesday when Australia thrashed them 157 runs in the opening semi-final at the Basin Reserve.
In a contest reduced to 45 overs per side due to a 1 �-hour delay at the start because of rain, Australia dominated from the start, with Player-of-the-Match Alyssa Healy smashing 129 from 107 balls to fire the six-time champions to an imposing 305 for three.
Healy put on a dominant 216 for the first wicket with Rachael Haynes who made 85 from 100 deliveries, while Beth Mooney arrived late to strike 43 from 31 balls.
In reply, West Indies never looked like threatening the target and crashed to 148 all out off 37 overs. Captain Stafanie Taylor top-scored with a pedestrian 48 from 75 balls while Deandra Dottin and Hayley Matthews both struck 34, but no other batsman reached double figures.
“I think for us it was knowing that probably our top four were going to have to bat all the overs, if you wanted a chance at chasing down that total,” Taylor told a media conference afterwards.
“Obviously, chasing over 300 in a 50 over game is never easy, furthermore [with] it being 45 overs. But every time we go to bat, we've got to have belief that we can get the total.
“But we probably didn't have the start that we wanted to — and [we went] a bit slower in the middle as well, which stopped us from reaching that target.”
She added: “I thought the way the Aussies went about the power play and in the middle there, they kind of deflated us. And we had chances, but not taking those chances as well.”
Healy lashed 17 fours and a six, racing to a half-century off 62 balls in the 22nd over before raising her fourth One-Day International hundred off only another 29 deliveries in the 29th over.
Haynes, meanwhile, reached her 50 off 66 balls before finally perishing in the 36th over, 16 balls after Healy had departed.
When Ashleigh Gardner fell for 16 in the 36th over, Australia had lost three wickets for 20 runs but Mooney combined with Captain Meg Lanning (26 not out) in a 69-run, fourth-wicket stand to see their side past the 300-run mark.
West Indies' start was less than flattering. Rashada Williams spent 10 balls without scoring before pulling seamer Megan Schutt to short square leg in the fourth over with 12 runs on the board.
Dottin hammered five fours in a breezy 35-ball knock while Matthews counted two boundaries off 49 balls, the pair adding 32 for the second wicket.
But the enterprise ended once Dottin picked out long on with pacer Tahlia McGrath in the 10th over. The third-wicket stand between Matthews and Taylor produced 47 runs but required 79 deliveries, leaving a drain on the run chase.
Matthews fell in the 23rd over, charging left-arm spinner Jess Jonassen (2-14) and skying to mid-off, while Taylor dithered until she was last out in the 37th over, slicing leg-spinner Alana King to point.
Chinelle Henry and Anisa Mohammed were unable to bat due to injury.
Scoreboard
AUSTRALIA WOMEN
R Haynes c Dottin b Henry 85
+A Healy c sub (S Selman) b Connell 129
A Gardner c wkp Campbelle b Henry 12
*M Lanning not out 26
B Mooney not out 43
Extras (w8, nb2) 10
TOTAL (3 wkts, 45 overs) 305
Did not bat: T McGrath, A Sutherland, D Brown, J Jonassen, A King, M Schutt
Fall of wickets: 1-216, 2-231, 3-236.
Bowling: Connell 8-0-45-1 (w3), Henry 9-0-51-2 (w1), Matthews 9-0-45-0, Mohammed 2-0-20-0 (w1), Ramharack 9-0-65-0 (nb2), Dottin 3-0-31-0 (w2), Taylor 5-0-48-0 (nb1)
WEST INDIES WOMEN
D Dottin c Sutherland b McGrath 34
R Williams c Mooney b Schutt 0
H Matthews c King b Jonassen 34
*S Taylor c Jonassen b King 48
+S Campbelle c Jonassen b Sutherland 8
C Nation run out 7
K Knight b Jonassen 0
K Ramharack lbw b Gardner 7
S Connell not out 1
C Henry absent hurt
A Mohammed absent hurt
Extras (lb1, w8) 9
TOTAL (all out, 37 overs) 148
Fall of wickets: 1-12, 2-44, 3-91, 4-117, 5-126, 6-126, 7-146, 8-148
Bowling: Brown 6-0-37-0 (w4), Schutt 4-0-8-1 (w1), Sutherland 6-0-26-1 (w2), McGrath 4-0-17-1 (w1), King 6-0-19-1, Gardner 6-0-26-1, Jonassen 5-0-14-2.
Result: Australia Women won by 157 runs.
Series: Australia advance to World Cup final.
Player-of-the-Match: Alyssa Healy.
Toss: West Indies Women.
Umpires: Kim Cotton, Lauren Agenbag
TV umpire: Sue Redfern
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Two Million Flu Shots For COVID Winter Plan
Hon Andrew Little
Minister of Health
The Government is ramping up the flu vaccination campaign which starts today, with 40 per cent more flu shots available this year as part of the COVID-19 winter plan.
New Zealand usually uses about 1.4 million flu vaccines a year. This year, the Government is making two million available and is widening eligibility for people to get vaccinated for free.
“With the Omicron wave still working its way through the country, we need to protect our most vulnerable from getting the flu as well, and our health system from coming under more pressure,” Health Minister Andrew Little said.
“We already make the flu shot available for free for everyone over the age of 65, and for those who are pregnant or at risk of becoming seriously ill because of other underlying conditions.
“This winter, on the advice of doctors, we’re widening eligibility to include Māori and Pacific people aged 55 and over, which means an extra 39,000 people can have the vaccine for free.”
Andrew Little urged as many people as possible to get the vaccine.
“In an ordinary year, flu kills more than 500 New Zealanders. And this is no ordinary year,” he said.
“Usually, about half the people eligible for free vaccination take it up. For the past two years, with the country closed to the rest of the world because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve been largely free of colds and flu.
“That’s changing, though, with our borders opening, and I encourage everyone – and especially the most vulnerable – to get vaccinated. Anyone who is part of Group Three for the COVID vaccination rollout should make sure they get a flu shot.
“The programme starts across the country from today, with vaccinations available from family doctors, pharmacists and some Māori and Pacific health providers.
“We’re looking at ways to increase the vaccination workforce to get flu shots to those who need them. We have trained and authorised many new pharmacist vaccinators over the past two years, including provisional pharmacist vaccinators who are able to administer the influenza vaccine.”
The $12 million expansion programme is being funded from the Government’s COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund. | https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA2204/S00004/two-million-flu-shots-for-covid-winter-plan.htm | 2022-04-01T01:55:54Z |
The House committee investigating the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol interviewed its first Trump family member and the highest-ranking official from the previous administration by meeting with Jared Kushner on Thursday for more than six hours, a source inside the room told NBC News.
The panel met virtually with Kushner — Donald Trump's son-in-law and a former top White House adviser — after he voluntarily agreed to speak with the committee Trump has accused of conducting a "witch hunt."
The source described Kushner as being cooperative and friendly.
For more on this story, go to NBC News. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/national-international/jared-kushner-interviewed-by-jan-6-committee-for-over-6-hours/2929435/ | 2022-04-01T01:55:54Z |
NEW YORK (AP) — Whoa! It's a Double Aho!
Both NHL players named Sebastian Aho — one a defenseman for the New York Islanders, the other a forward for the Carolina Hurricanes — scored goals for their teams Thursday night.
And at nearly the exact same time.
According to Sportsnet Stats, the Islanders' Aho scored his first goal of the season at 7:14 p.m. EDT in New York against Columbus.
Just 34 seconds later — and more than 500 miles away — the Hurricanes' Aho scored his 31st goal in Carolina against Montreal. Both gave their teams 1-0 leads in the first period.
It's not the first time the two have combined on a statistical oddity. In 2018, New York's Aho committed a hooking penalty on Carolina's Aho, causing MSG Networks Islanders play-by-play broadcaster Brendan Burke to exclaim: "A little Sebastian Aho-on-Sebastian Aho crime.”
The two Ahos are not related, by the way. The Islanders' Aho, Sebastian Johannes Aho, is 26 and from Sweden. He has three career NHL goals in limited action.
The Hurricanes' Aho, Sebastian Antero Aho, is 24 and from Finland. He's a two-time NHL All-Star and has 176 career goals.
___
More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://www.thehour.com/sports/article/Isles-Aho-Hurricanes-Aho-score-goals-at-almost-17049866.php | 2022-04-01T01:55:55Z |
* Latam FX, stocks race past EM * Brazil's real rallies 17% QTD * Colombia's peso down as rate decision shocks (Updates, adds comment) By Shreyashi Sanyal and Anisha Sircar March 31 (Reuters) - An index of Latin American currencies were headed for their best quarterly gain ever on Thursday as higher commodity prices and interest rates boosted inflows but Colombia's peso stumbled after the central bank's lower-than-expected rate hike. The MSCI's gauge for Latin American currencies jumped 14.3% in the quarter, with most of its gains clocked in March. The index performed far better than the broader emerging markets currencies gauge, which has risen 0.6% for the quarter. Heavy Western sanctions on Russia in retaliation for its invasion of Ukraine sparked a rally in prices of oil, raw materials and industrial metals, benefiting most resource-rich Central and South American economies. Latin American currencies have also been supported by monetary policy tightening cycles that began last year from relatively low baselines after the region's economy was battered by the COVID-19 pandemic. "When you put the trifecta together - rapidly rising interest rates, surging commodity prices and EM (Emerging Markets) portfolio flows after a mass exodus from the Central and Eastern European region as a result of the Ukraine war - you end up with the perfect cocktail for Latam outperformance," said Christian Lawrence, senior market strategist at Rabobank. Brazil's real has soared more than 17% in the quarter, leading gains among regional peers. The currency was up 0.5% against the dollar on Thursday, tracking gains in iron ore prices, which clocked their best quarter in five. "Brazil has raised rates more aggressively than anyone else, and its agri-commodities story is key, but later this year the election cycle could correlate with volatility and weakness in the real... So its pace of appreciation could start to slow," Lawrence said. The Colombian peso fell 0.5% on Thursday after the central bank board raised its benchmark interest rate by 100 basis points to 5%, significantly lower than expected, despite inflationary pressures. Stocks in Latin America were up 0.5% on Thursday, tracking gains of over 26% for the quarter. Mexican stocks led gains on the day, adding more than 1%. Russia's rouble traded at 83.2 against the dollar, hovering near its levels before the invasion, which Russia calls a special operation to demilitarize Ukraine. The currency lost nearly half its value in the immediate aftermath of the invasion launched on Feb. 24, but tight capital controls and central bank interventions since then have limited losses to an 11.5% decline for the year. Elsewhere, the Czech crown firmed 0.1% against the euro on Thursday after the country's central bank raised its main interest rate to the highest level since 2001, while the Hungarian forint steadied at about 367 to the euro amid uncertainty ahead of an election on Sunday. Turkey's lira slipped 0.2% against a stronger dollar and was set to end its fifth straight quarter in the red. Key Latin American stock indexes and currencies at 1935 GMT: Stock indexes Latest Daily % change MSCI Emerging Markets 1141.32 -0.69 MSCI LatAm 2690.37 0.42 Brazil Bovespa 120366.60 0.09 Mexico IPC 56579.98 1.37 Chile IPSA 4936.96 0.86 Argentina MerVal 90799.92 -0.074 Colombia COLCAP 1614.52 0.82 Currencies Latest Daily % change Brazil real 4.7605 0.47 Mexico peso 19.8722 -0.08 Chile peso 786.9 0.25 Colombia peso 3765.82 -0.46 Peru sol 3.676 0.92 Argentina peso 111.0000 -0.10 (interbank) (Reporting by Shreyashi Sanyal and Anisha Sircar in Bengaluru; Editing by Ken Ferris) | https://www.newsbreak.com/news/2556266033634/chile-defeat-likely-to-mark-end-of-golden-generation | 2022-04-01T01:55:55Z |
Vermont basketball notebook: How to watch Ryan Davis play in the NABC All-Star Game
Ryan Davis will represent the University of Vermont men's basketball team one more time on Friday.
The Catamount senior forward, who announced earlier this week his plans to pursue a professional career, will play in the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) College All-Star Game on Friday at 4:35 p.m. eastern time.
The all-star showcase, which features some of the top senior Division I players, will be televised on CBS Sports Network.
Davis will play on the West team, which includes Stanley Umude of Arkansas, Vermont's opponent from their first-round NCAA Tournament matchup in Buffalo earlier this month.
NCAA tourney revisit:Officials' overturn halts UVM's comeback in loss to Arkansas
March Madness:Coverage of UVM basketball in the 2022 NCAA Tournament
On Monday, Davis posted on his personal Instagram page his decision on bypassing his final year of NCAA eligibility to chase a pro career. Davis had four playing seasons in Burlington, but like every college athlete, the NCAA granted a free year due to COVID-19.
"Burlington will also have a special place in my heart," Davis wrote at the close of his social-media post.
Davis, the two-time America East Conference player of the year, averaged a team-best 17.3 points a game this past winter. Davis' 59.3% field-goal percentage ranked 15th in the country and his career 55.4% field-goal accuracy places him sixth in UVM history.
The 6-foot-8 Davis, who surpassed 1,000 career points this winter, was also named to the America East all-conference first team and earned All-District I honors from the NABC and the United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA).
Davis will be the first Catamount to play in the NABC All-Star Game since Trae Bell-Haynes in 2018.
Details on how to watch Davis
Site: Caesars Superdome in New Orleans
Game time: 4:35 p.m. eastern Friday
TV: CBS Sports Network (check TV provider for further details)
Shungu named to All-America team
Ben Shungu was named to the 2022 Lou Henson All-America Team, collegeinsider.com announced earlier this week.
The sixth-year Catamount guard is now a finalist for the Henson award, given annually to the nation's top Division I mid-major player. The winner will be announced on Friday.
Shungu is the first Catamount to land on the Henson all-america squad since Bell-Haynes in 2018.
More:Shungu rewrites history for his final game at Patrick Gym
More:'10 years of Benny': Shungu's greatest hits as a hometown star
The South Burlington native and former Rice Memorial High School star posted a career year in his final winter at UVM. He averaged 16.2 points a game and sank 208 field goals, the fourth-highest total in program history, while becoming the 42nd Catamount to reach the 1,000th-point career milestone.
Shungu, who received America East first team and all-defensive honors, was named the league tournament's most outstanding player after averaging 19.0 ppg and 5.0 rpg during the Catamounts' run to their ninth AE title.
Shungu started all 34 games of Vermont's 28-win season, the second-most wins in program history.
Shungu also earned All-District honors from the NABC and the USBWA.
Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter: @aabrami5. | https://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/sports/college/vermont/2022/03/31/vermont-basketball-how-watch-ryan-davis-play-reese-nabc-college-all-star-game/7216809001/ | 2022-04-01T01:55:56Z |
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) _ The winning numbers in Thursday evening's drawing of the "Cash4Life" game were:
01-02-27-29-30, Cash Ball: 3
(one, two, twenty-seven, twenty-nine, thirty; Cash Ball: three)
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) _ The winning numbers in Thursday evening's drawing of the "Cash4Life" game were:
01-02-27-29-30, Cash Ball: 3
(one, two, twenty-seven, twenty-nine, thirty; Cash Ball: three) | https://www.greenwichtime.com/lottery/article/Winning-numbers-drawn-in-Cash4Life-game-17049899.php | 2022-04-01T01:55:56Z |
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) _ The winning numbers in Thursday evening's drawing of the "Cash4Life" game were:
01-02-27-29-30, Cash Ball: 3
(one, two, twenty-seven, twenty-nine, thirty; Cash Ball: three)
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) _ The winning numbers in Thursday evening's drawing of the "Cash4Life" game were:
01-02-27-29-30, Cash Ball: 3
(one, two, twenty-seven, twenty-nine, thirty; Cash Ball: three) | https://www.ctpost.com/lottery/article/Winning-numbers-drawn-in-Cash4Life-game-17049899.php | 2022-04-01T01:55:56Z |
Mumbai: KL Rahul was all praise for young Ayush Badoni after his nine-ball 18 blitz took Lucknow Super Giants over the line on Thursday against Chennai Super Kings at the Brabourne stadium. Following Badoni’s match-winning blitz, Lucknow skipper Rahul hailed the youngster as a fighter who plays with a big heart. Reckoning that Badoni is a great find for Indian cricket, Rahul revealed he the young cricketer spends a lot of time with Vijay Dahiya and Gautam Gambhir.
“He has a big heart and he is a fighter for a young boy. It shows the character to bounce back with the wet ball. He is someone who wants to grow and learn. He spends time with the spin coach. Credit for that should go to Vijay Dahiya and GG. They were the ones who wanted him. His batting has been phenomenal. Can bowl as well. Great find for Indian cricket,” Rahul said at the post-match presentation.
Rahul claimed that Badoni can also chip in with a couple of overs and that is invaluable.
“You can give yourself a couple of overs. If you get a couple of boundaries then it settles the nerves. We got the start we wanted for a big chase. I told him before the first game that he will be batting at three. Doesn’t matter. Spinners or fast bowlers he knows one way. His timing has gotten a lot better. Great to see players coming in and winning games. Puts a smile on the captain’s face,” Rahul concluded. | https://www.cricketcountry.com/news/ipl-2022-kl-rahul-hails-ayush-badoni-after-lucknow-beat-chennai-in-high-scoring-thriller-1017482 | 2022-04-01T01:55:56Z |
Another big time visitor for Notre Dame confirms plans for this weekend
The Irish are keeping up with recruiting by bringing in some of the most talented players across the country to check out some of their spring practices. Some of the commits have been steadily heading to South Bend, while others, most notably Dante Moore have been stopping by for visits.
You can add another name to the list of visitors as Aneyas Williams announced that he will be visiting Notre Dame this coming Saturday, April second. The Missouri 2024 athlete could end up playing either running back or wide receiver, his five-foot-eleven-inch and 200-pound frame allows him to be extremely versatile.
I will be attending The University of Notre Dame!!🟦🟨April 2nd!! @C3Elite7v7 @coachdrebrown @MikeTSinger @mattfreemanISD @TomLoy247 @ByKyleKelly @RiseNDraft pic.twitter.com/tR9mJcuRX2
— AneyasWilliams (@AneyasW) March 31, 2022
Williams has been visiting multiple schools these past few weeks, having already trekked out to Kentucky, Tennessee and Missouri. Although he currently does not hold an offer from the Irish, with this visit that could be in the cards this weekend.
List
Notre Dame's 2023 Recruiting Commitments
Related
Report: 5-Star QB Moore’s visit to Notre Dame goes well
Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.
Follow Mike on Twitter: @MikeFChen | https://sports.yahoo.com/another-big-time-visitor-notre-013225011.html?src=rss | 2022-04-01T01:55:56Z |
NSW adds 331 previously unreported deaths to COVID-19 toll
By Mary Ward
Health authorities have added more than 300 deaths to the state’s COVID-19 toll following a review of data from Births, Deaths and Marriages, including 66 people who died from the virus in the home.
The 331 previously unreported deaths, which were certified by a doctor on the person’s death certificate as being caused by or contributed to by COVID-19, were added on Thursday.
NSW has now recorded 2433 deaths from COVID-19, including two – a man in his 50s from western NSW and a man in his 70s from the Central Coast, both with significant underlying health conditions – reported on Friday.
Of the previously unreported deaths, 270 occurred this year, 58 in 2021 and three were deaths from 2020, in the first year of the pandemic.
There were 131 previously unreported deaths in aged care facilities (39.6 per cent of the missing deaths). Another 98 (29.6 per cent) occurred in public hospitals, 66 (19.9 per cent) occurred at the person’s home and 22 (6.6 per cent) occurred in private hospitals.
“COVID-19 related deaths are notified to NSW Health from a range of sources, including public and private hospitals, aged care facilities, and the Coroner,” the ministry said in a statement, noting it was “usually” automatically notified when a death from COVID-19 occurred in a public hospital.
“To ensure NSW COVID-19 mortality data is as robust as possible, NSW Health has been cross-checking these deaths with all those identified in death certificates by the NSW Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages during this period.”
The deaths followed a similar geographic distribution to those authorities were already aware of. Thirty per cent – 102 deaths – occurred in South Western Sydney Local Health District, where about a quarter of the state’s virus deaths have been recorded.
In a report released by NSW Health on Thursday providing further information about the previously unreported deaths, the ministry said processes had been put in place such that deaths certified by a doctor as caused by COVID-19 would now be included in its figures.
“For people where an expected death occurred at home, for example an elderly person with significant underlying health conditions or people receiving palliative care, the doctor may not have reported the death through any channels other than the [registry],” the report stated.
“As many of the deaths occurred recently, and there is sometimes a delay between a death occurring and it being reported to NSW Health, it is possible that NSW Health would have received a report of the death through the usual channels, but at a later date.”
NSW Health was aware of a positive test result for 256 of the 331 deaths, but did not receive a report of death. It did not have a record of a positive test result for the remaining 75.
The report said health authorities “do not yet know the details of why” the additional deaths in hospitals and aged care facilities had not been reported.
“It is known that some infections may have been identified by a rapid antigen test that was not registered with Service NSW and some may have had a diagnosis based on testing performed outside of NSW, or based on a clinical diagnosis without a laboratory test,” the report read.
“In some cases, it is possible the facilities may have assumed the death was already reported by another authority. Some deaths were associated with other significant conditions such as end-stage cancer or significant neurological conditions.”
NSW Health also plans to use excess mortality data over the pandemic to further assess the impact of the virus on the community.
There were 25,495 new local COVID-19 cases reported in NSW on Friday. The number of people in hospital who are COVID-positive is trending up: there are 1345 cases admitted to hospital including 43 in intensive care.
Stay across the most crucial developments related to the pandemic with the Coronavirus Update. Sign up to receive the weekly newsletter. | https://www.theage.com.au/national/nsw/nsw-adds-331-previously-unreported-deaths-to-covid-19-toll-20220401-p5a9zh.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_national | 2022-04-01T01:55:56Z |
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Unlike many other edible manufacturers, Flourish focuses on creating edibles that are not only effective, but delicious and healthy. Our chefs eschew processed foods, limit sugars, and work with local farmers and providers to source the freshest and highest quality ingredients available.
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Only approximately 3% of American lawyers are board certified
DALLAS, March 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bradley Arant Boult Cummings is pleased to announce that partner Dick Sayles has earned National Board Certification as a trial lawyer advocate by The National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA).
National Board Certification is the highest, most stringent and most reliable honor an attorney can achieve. Board certifications are the only distinctions awarded by non-profit organizations. The NBTA as well as all board-certifying organizations are committed to safeguarding the public's ability to choose a good attorney.
Mr. Sayles has been board certified in Texas for more than 30 years in both civil trial law and personal injury trial law, and now has the honor of being nationally recognized for his dedication to the legal profession. The extensive screening that NBTA board certified attorneys must complete includes demonstrating substantial trial experience, submission of judicial and peer references, attendance in continuing legal education courses, submission of legal writing documents, proof of good standing and passing of an examination.
The NBTA was formed out of a strong conviction that both the law profession and its clients would benefit from an organization designed specifically to create an objective set of standards illustrating an attorney's experience and expertise in the practice of trial law.
Mr. Sayles has been honored as the Dallas Bar Association's Trial Lawyer of the Year and recognized by Benchmark Litigation and The Best Lawyers in America®. He is a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers, the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, and the International Society of Barristers. Mr. Sayles also was featured in Texas Lawbook's "Lions of the Texas Bar" and has been selected among the Texas Super Lawyers "Top 10 Lawyers in Texas" multiple times. Mr. Sayles was previously recognized in the 2020 edition of the Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America and the Lawdragon's Hall of Fame.
About Bradley
Bradley combines skilled legal counsel with exceptional client service and unwavering integrity to assist a diverse range of corporate and individual clients in achieving their business goals. With offices in Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and the District of Columbia, the firm's nearly 600 lawyers represent clients worldwide in a wide range of professions, including financial services, healthcare, construction, technology, energy, insurance, and many others.
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SOURCE Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP | https://www.kmvt.com/prnewswire/2022/03/31/veteran-dallas-lawyer-dick-sayles-achieves-national-board-certification-civil-trial-law/ | 2022-04-01T01:55:56Z |
Toshiba shares jump as buyout speculation mounts
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TOKYO, April 1 (Reuters) - Shares of Toshiba Corp (6502.T) jumped 4% in early Tokyo trade on Friday on speculation that private equity firms could be lining up to take the embattled conglomerate private.
Singapore-based Effissimo Capital Management said in a filing on Thursday that it had agreed to sell its entire stake to Bain Capital if the U.S. private equity firm launched a tender offer. read more
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Reporting by Makiko Yamazaki; Editing by David Dolan
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. | https://www.reuters.com/business/toshiba-shares-jump-buyout-speculation-mounts-2022-04-01/ | 2022-04-01T01:55:57Z |
You need to enable JavaScript to run this app. | https://sportspyder.com/mlb/cincinnati-reds/articles/39012061 | 2022-04-01T01:55:58Z |
Developing Culinary Talent @ Blue Skies Beach Resort
Foodie News...Foodie News...Foodie News...
Thursday, March 31, 2022Blue Skies Beach Resort is a realised dream for former US civil rights attorney Dana Kurtz, and through this vehicle she hopes to drive the dreams of aspiring Jamaican chefs and bring more awareness from international eyes to Jamaican cuisines.
The property on Norman Manley Boulevard in Negril welcomed its first guests last year and Kurtz has hopes to create a space for enjoying food, skydiving, music, movies and all things fun that can be done on the beach.
“I visited Jamaica 20 years ago and fell in love with the island. Fast-forward to today and I'm living my dream with big plans for the future. One of the things I want to do is bring international chefs and cooking competitions here. Jamaica is already on the international map but we would like to do more fusion events. An international 'Jerk-Off' competition with chefs jerking whatever you want from calamari, tofu, chicken, pork, and chefs determining the best in categories. We plan on bringing international chefs to interact with Jamaican chefs and give experiences in other cuisines to develop this fusion. Our chefs can in turn add a Jamaican mix by using local foods and fruits that are plentiful on the island to give our own twist,” Kurtz explained.
“We are big on developing talent. Our team members come to us straight from culinary school, but our resident chef has over 30 years of experience, and we encourage all to experiment and share knowledge. We are looking to bring in other local chefs for them to gain additional experience and training which they may not have got otherwise from just schooling. Jamaican food is amazing and we plan on being an international food hub exposing guests to foods and fruits that they wouldn't necessarily know about,” Kurtz added.
“All our food is locally sourced from all over the island; we are going for farm-to-table freshness. We will be growing food on property, especially spices, and produce in-house sauces made from scratch,” Kurtz added.
Blue Skies lead chef Sanika Clarke is a past student of the University of Technology of Jamaica (UTech) and her interest is in developing fusion dishes, especially Jamaican and Italian. Clarke also has an affinity for vegan dishes.
“Normally, with vegan stew it's mainly beans, but what I do is add ground provisions such as dasheen, yams, cocoa, green plantains and cook it in coconut milk cream. For the crayfish soup we make that from scratch using carrot, onions, celery, scallion and thyme. Scotch bonnet pepper and pur�ed pumpkin are added to the mix, and of course butter and the crayfish,” Clarke explained.
— Text & photos: Aceion Cunningham
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Oscars producer says police offered to arrest Will Smith
Oscars producer Will Packer said Los Angeles police were ready to arrest Will Smith after Smith slapped Chris Rock on the Academy Awards stage.
Related video above: Chris Rock gets warm welcome from Boston crowd during first show post-Oscars slap
"They were saying, you know, this is battery, was a word they used in that moment," Packer said in a clip released by ABC News Thursday night of an interview he gave to "Good Morning America." "They said 'we will go get him. We are prepared. We're prepared to get him right now. You can press charges, we can arrest him.' They were laying out the options."
But Packer said Rock was "very dismissive" of the idea.
"He was like, 'No, no, no, I'm fine,'" Packer said. "And even to the point where I said, 'Rock, let them finish.' The LAPD officers finished laying out what his options were and they said, 'Would you like us to take any action?' And he said no."
The LAPD said in a statement after Sunday night's ceremony that they were aware of the incident, and that Rock had declined to file a police report. The department declined to comment Thursday on Packer's interview, a longer version of which will air on Friday morning.
The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences met Wednesday to initiate disciplinary proceedings against Smith for violations against the group's standards of conduct. Smith could be suspended, expelled or otherwise sanctioned.
The academy said in a statement that "Mr. Smith's actions at the 94th Oscars were a deeply shocking, traumatic event to witness in-person and on television."
Without giving specifics, the academy said Smith was asked to leave the ceremony at the Dolby Theatre, but refused to do so.
Smith strode from his front row seat on to the stage and slapped Rock after a joke Rock made about Smith's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, when he was on stage to present the Oscar for best documentary.
On Monday, Smith issued an apology to Rock, the academy and to viewers, saying "I was out of line and I was wrong."
The academy said Smith has the opportunity to defend himself in a written response before the board meets again on April 18.
Rock publicly addressed the incident for the first time, but only briefly, at the beginning of a standup show Wednesday night in Boston, where he was greeted by a thunderous standing ovation. He said "I'm still kind of processing what happened." | https://www.4029tv.com/article/oscars-producer-police-offered-arrest-will-smith/39603725 | 2022-04-01T01:56:00Z |
STAPP Report Reveals A Biased And Unfair Govt
The Auditor General’s Report on the Strategic Tourism Asset Protection Programme (STAPP) confirmed what many businesses have been saying – that this Labour Government has been biased and unfair, National’s Tourism spokesperson Todd McClay says.
“Every tourism business in New Zealand has done it tough over the last two years and this report has shown that this Labour Government favoured some and left others to suffer.
“In May 2020 the Government and former Tourism Minister Kelvin Davis opened a $290M fund for struggling tourism businesses. When applications opened, some businesses were accepted without any evidence that they were in financial difficulty, and didn’t have to go through the same process as other businesses.
“The Government seems to believe that only Queenstown exists when it comes to tourism in New Zealand, when in reality there are tourism operators up and down the country who are suffering just as much.
“In typical Labour fashion, they simply threw money at a problem without having a well-managed plan. Current Tourism Minister Stuart Nash has blamed the uncertainty of Covid-19 for these mistakes, but the reality is they failed to think things through at a time when tourism businesses needed them most.
“New Zealanders deserve to have a Government who are responsible with their spending, but this Labour Government has proven time and time again that they cannot be trusted to make wise or fair spending decisions.
“I am calling on Minister Nash to find those funds that were given out incorrectly, take them back and redistribute them to all Kiwi tourism operators so that they can open up quickly for international tourists.” | https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA2204/S00005/stapp-report-reveals-a-biased-and-unfair-govt.htm | 2022-04-01T01:56:00Z |
Government and parliamentary data showed that eight out of ten high-ranking public officials and lawmakers saw their wealth rise last year from a year earlier.
The Government Ethics Committee on Thursday disclosed asset listings for some two-thousand senior officials, publishing them in the official gazette.
According to the data, 83 percent of one-thousand-978 senior officials saw their wealth increase last year from a year earlier.
On average, the wealth of the senior officials came to one-point-62 billion won as of the end of last year. The increase was largely attributed to the rise in value of real estate and stocks.
President Moon Jae-in declared assets worth about two-point-19 billion won last year, up some 114 million won from the previous year.
The top office reported that Moon's total income during his five-year presidency was one-point-98 billion won.
Among cabinet ministers, gender equality and family minister Chung Young-ai reported the largest wealth of four-point-57 billion won, up 487 million won from a year earlier.
According to the National Assembly, the average asset reported by 289 lawmakers came to three-point-15 billion won, with 240 of them reporting an increase in wealth.
Rep. Jeon Bong-min of the main opposition People Power Party(PPP) topped the list of wealthy lawmakers, reporting 106-point-five billion won. Fellow PPP lawmaker Park Duk-hyum came in second, reporting assets worth 67-point-two billion won.
Senior civil servants, lawmakers, heads of municipalities, members of local legislatures and senior judges are required to report their wealth every year under the country's Public Service Ethics Act. | http://world.kbs.co.kr/service/news_view.htm?lang=e&Seq_Code=168644 | 2022-04-01T01:55:59Z |
The nation’s oldest active park ranger is hanging up her Smokey hat at the age of 100.
Betty Reid Soskin retired Thursday after more than 15 years at the Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park in Richmond, California, the National Park Service announced.
Soskin “spent her last day providing an interpretive program to the public and visiting with coworkers," a Park Service statement said.
She led tours at the park and museum honoring the women who worked in factories during wartime and shared her own experience as a Black woman during the conflict. She worked for the U.S. Air Force in 1942 but quit after learning that “she was employed only because her superiors believed she was white," according to a Park Service biography.
“Being a primary source in the sharing of that history – my history – and giving shape to a new national park has been exciting and fulfilling,” Soskin said in the Park Service statement. “It has proven to bring meaning to my final years.”
Soskin won a temporary Park Service position at the age of 84 and became a permanent Park Service employee in 2011. She celebrated her 100th birthday last September.
“Betty has made a profound impact on the National Park Service and the way we carry out our mission,” Director Chuck Sams said. “Her efforts remind us that we must seek out and give space for all perspectives so that we can tell a more full and inclusive history of our nation.”
U.S. & World
Soskin was born Betty Charbonnet in Detroit in 1921 but recalled surviving the devastating Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 while living with her Creole family in New Orleans, according to the Park Service biography.
Her family then moved to Oakland, California, and Soskin remained in the San Francisco Bay Area, where in 1945 she and her first husband founded one of the first Black-owned record stores in the area, the biography said.
She also was a civil rights activist and took part in meetings to develop a general management plan for the Home Front park. She has received several honors.
She was named California Woman of the Year in 1995.
In 2015, Soskin received a presidential coin from President Barack Obama after she lit the National Christmas tree at the White House.
In June 2016, she was awakened in her home by a robber who punched her repeatedly in the face, dragged her out of her bedroom and beat her before making off with the coin and other items. Soskin, then 94, recovered and returned to work just weeks after the attack. The coin was replaced.
Soskin also was honored with entry into the Congressional Record. Glamour Magazine named her woman of the year in 2018. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/national-international/oldest-u-s-active-park-ranger-retires-at-100/2929466/ | 2022-04-01T01:56:00Z |
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Russell Knox recorded four straight birdies on the back nine and fired a 7-under 65 on Thursday for a one-shot lead after the opening round of the Valero Texas Open.
Knox closed out his round with a seven-foot putt to save par at the par-5 18th at TPC San Antonio, and was one shot ahead of Rasmus Hojgaard.
Hojgaard fired a 66 despite a double bogey on his final hole. Matt Kuchar is another stroke back after an opening 5-under 67 and is among a group that includes Denny McCarthy, Aaron Rei and J.J. Spaun.
Defending champ Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy finished at even-par 72. They were outside the top 60 after one round and could flirt with the cut line on Friday.
Bryson DeChambeau had a 1-over 73. After holing a bunker shot for eagle on his 11th hole and following with a birdie on the next, he made bogey on four of his last six holes.
Knox, a 32-year-old Scotsman with two career PGA Tour wins, started his birdie streak at No. 12. All of his birdie putts were inside 10 feet. At the 15th, he was about 20 feet away from a back pin position following his approach and chipped in from the fringe. It was his second chip-in in the round.
“That was one of those kind of bonus birdies that you need when you’re going to have a good day,” Knox said. “Obviously thrilled with the round. It’s been more of the way I want to play.”
Hogjaard, a 21-year-old from Denmark and two-rime winner on the European Tour, had his sights on the first-round lead heading to his closing hole. But, his drive sailed well left of the fairway. It took him four shots to reach the green on the par-4 ninth.
“I had to chip sideways back into the fairway,” he said. “Just was a little too aggressive after that. Yeah, short-sided myself and I didn’t get up and down and suddenly you walk away with double-bogey. Yeah, that was a bit annoying, but it happens.”
Kuchar was 5 under after 11 holes. Thirty feet away from the pin on the next hole, he failed to get up and down and missed a seven-foot putt for par. He got a shot back with a birdie on his 14th hole, and parred out, falling short in a bid to match his season-best round of 64 at the Sony Open, where he finished in the top 10.
“A lot of good and bad that can happen here on this course,” Kuchar said. “I was kind of managing early on in the round and then found a little something on about the fifth or sixth hole. I started having some birdie chances and converted on a few late in my first nine.”
Kuchar has won nine times on the PGA Tour. McCarthy, Rai and Spaun are looking for their first.
___
More AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://www.thehour.com/sports/article/Knox-uses-4-birdie-run-for-a-one-stroke-lead-at-17049836.php | 2022-04-01T01:56:01Z |
UVM men's basketball lands first two recruits of 2022 freshman class
The coaching staff of the University of Vermont men's basketball team have been busy since the loss to Arkansas in the NCAA Tournament.
The Catamounts this week landed two high school standouts from opposite sides of the coast: Jorge Ochoa of Veritas Prep in Santa Fe Springs, California and TJ Hurley of The Rock School in Gainsville, Florida.
Ochoa and Hurley are the first two recruits of Vermont's 2022 freshman class. Both gave their verbal commitments to UVM and are expected to arrive in Burlington this summer.
George Zedan, founder of Veritas Prep, Tweeted news of Ochoa's decision late Tuesday night. Hurley announced his commitment on social media on Thursday afternoon.
More:How to watch Ryan Davis play in the NABC All-Star Game
UVM coach John Becker cannot comment on recruits until they sign their national letter of intent and are admitted to the university.
Ochoa is a 6-foot-7 forward with versatility who can shoot from distance, according to Dinos Trigonis, publisher and editor of Full Court Press, a publication and website that covers West Coast hoops.
Hurley, an Ontario native, is also a sharpshooter according to The Gainsville Sun newspaper. The 6-foot-5 Hurley helped The Rock School to a Sunshine Independent Athletic Association crown earlier this winter. Recently, Hurley was selected to compete in the BioSteel All Canadian Basketball Game, which is slated for this weekend in Toronto.
Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter: @aabrami5. | https://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/sports/college/vermont/2022/03/31/vermont-basketball-secures-first-two-recruits-2022-freshman-class-jorge-ochoa-tj-hurley/7235894001/ | 2022-04-01T01:56:02Z |
Hawks' Camye Mackey Named '2022 Woman of the Year' by the Georgia Diversity Council
The Georgia Diversity Council recently honored Camye Mackey, Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena chief people, diversity and inclusion officer, with its 2022 Woman of the Year Award at the Georgia Women in Leadership Symposium on Thursday, March 10. The award celebrates an individual who demonstrates professional excellence, consistent leadership as...
metroatlantaceo.com | https://www.newsbreak.com/news/2556266065626/hawks-camye-mackey-named-2022-woman-of-the-year-by-the-georgia-diversity-council | 2022-04-01T01:56:01Z |
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) _ The winning numbers in Thursday evening's drawing of the New York Lottery's "Pick 10" game were:
03-06-07-17-21-23-32-42-47-52-54-59-61-65-66-67-69-78-79-80
(three, six, seven, seventeen, twenty-one, twenty-three, thirty-two, forty-two, forty-seven, fifty-two, fifty-four, fifty-nine, sixty-one, sixty-five, sixty-six, sixty-seven, sixty-nine, seventy-eight, seventy-nine, eighty) | https://www.greenwichtime.com/lottery/article/Winning-numbers-drawn-in-Pick-10-game-17049898.php | 2022-04-01T01:56:02Z |
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) _ The winning numbers in Thursday evening's drawing of the New York Lottery's "Pick 10" game were:
03-06-07-17-21-23-32-42-47-52-54-59-61-65-66-67-69-78-79-80
(three, six, seven, seventeen, twenty-one, twenty-three, thirty-two, forty-two, forty-seven, fifty-two, fifty-four, fifty-nine, sixty-one, sixty-five, sixty-six, sixty-seven, sixty-nine, seventy-eight, seventy-nine, eighty) | https://www.ctpost.com/lottery/article/Winning-numbers-drawn-in-Pick-10-game-17049898.php | 2022-04-01T01:56:02Z |
Chip Kelly knows he can't lean on his past under new UCLA contract
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- Chip KellyAmerican football coach
The last time Chip Kelly stood in front of a microphone and answered questions about his UCLA football program, it was late December, and the Bruins were one day away from playing North Carolina State in the Holiday Bowl.
Kelly, who had led UCLA to its first winning season since 2015, still did not know if he would be back for a fifth season, even after an 8-4 campaign that included a 62-33 demolition of rival USC at the Coliseum. The assumption was that the Holiday Bowl would be quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson’s last college game, and there was certainly a chance that star running back Zach Charbonnet would be joining him in the NFL draft.
Of course, the bowl game would be canceled due to issues with COVID-19 within the UCLA program, leading to some mild controversy. But ultimately, the Bruins were stripped of a major opportunity to put an exclamation point on a 2021 season that felt restorative to some UCLA fans but still somewhat lacking to others.
UCLA athletic director Martin Jarmond clearly decided it was good enough, announcing in January that Kelly and the school had agreed to a four-year contract extension that would pay him $22 million during that period (per year, that would be less than the $5.6 million he was paid in 2021).
Kelly stepped back in front of reporters once again Thursday morning before UCLA’s second spring practice, and, in his mind, not much had changed since he and the school renewed their commitment to each other.
“I come to work every day, so my day hasn’t changed since I’ve been here,” he said. “I came here to give every effort I can to be a part of this great school and in the great community. Just excited to be here.”
Evidently, Kelly wasn’t the only Bruin who wanted to remain in Westwood. Thompson-Robinson decided to come back for a fifth season, using his extra year of eligibility due to the pandemic, despite Kelly having gathered positive feedback from the NFL.
“We wanted him back in the worst way, but I can’t tell him for selfish reasons, ‘You shouldn’t go,’ ” Kelly said. “The information we had, he would have been a really draftable guy and had an opportunity to make a team this year.”
Thompson-Robinson’s surprising turnabout is the best reason to think UCLA can take the next step, which would be winning the team’s first Pac-12 South division title since 2012.
“He has a ton of reps under his belt that he has in his catalog in the back of his brain,” Kelly said. “Like, I’ve been in this situation before and this is what happened. He’s displayed great leadership with all the younger guys. To have the quarterback really be a leader and coming back for Year 5 has really been huge for us.”
Charbonnet, who rushed for 1,137 yards and 13 touchdowns, also bucked the trend of running backs going pro as soon as they’re eligible and is back for more.
But not everything has stayed the same. Kelly decided to fire veteran defensive coordinator Jerry Azzinaro to improve a unit that finished 70th nationally in total defense and 107th against the pass.
To find a replacement, Kelly leaned on his past relationships, hiring Bill McGovern, who coached linebackers under Kelly with the Philadelphia Eagles. The Bruins overhauled most of the defensive assistants, hiring UCLA alum Ken Norton Jr. as inside linebackers coach, Ikaika Malloe as outside linebackers coach and former USC assistant Chad Kauha’aha’a as defensive line coach.
“I think all those guys, with Bill and Ken Norton Jr., they bring vast experience in the National Football League and some of the new things going on in that league that are trickling down to college football, and then blending it with what we do,” Kelly said. “So we’re not throwing the baby out with the bathwater.”
Kelly’s decision to change up his defensive staff was a sure sign that the Bruins want more than 8-4.
“You actually gotta build momentum every day,” he said. “We’re in a society now where what you did yesterday really doesn’t matter.”
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. | https://sports.yahoo.com/chip-kelly-knows-cant-lean-011351687.html?src=rss | 2022-04-01T01:56:02Z |
By Jordan Baker
In the past two years, Walgett Community College incident log has recorded almost 50 cases of violence at the school, ranging from student brawls and threats involving weapons to assaults on teachers. Police were notified or called almost 15 times and, on a handful of occasions, lockdown procedures were activated.
“Numerous students displayed aggressive and threatening behaviour on school grounds and a lockdown was implemented,” the log says of an incident in term one last year, in which police were called.
Another incident involved students breaking into a classroom and distributing the equipment, says the log, released under freedom of information laws. On another occasion, some students lit a fire, causing minor property damage. There were multiple fights between students that teachers tried to handle, but in some cases called police for support.
One time, six students approached a student who was leaving with their parent. “[They] assaulted the student,” it said.
Violence has become a fixture of Walgett High. There are deep disagreements over what to do about it; the elders say the students need more help for their disability and trauma and want police kept out, but others say the environment has become dangerous for both students and teachers.
It is not a new problem. Almost 10 years ago, then Education Minister Adrian Piccoli denounced the government’s neglect of Walgett, and rural schools like it, where most students are indigenous. He said Walgett Community College’s ruinous buildings made it the worst school in the state. “I think it is true to say that we as a community have treated Aboriginal people like rubbish.”
To turn the school around, the NSW government gave its buildings a $9 million makeover. It created a new governance structure - known as Connected Communities - to give parents and local leaders a greater voice in decisions made not only by Walgett Community College, but 15 schools with similarly high numbers of Indigenous children in other parts of the state. The department lured former Asquith high principal, Richard Rule, out of retirement to lead the new-look school.
More money, including Gonski funding, flowed over the next few years and gave Walgett the highest per capita funding of any school in the state. In 2020 - the most recent figures available - it received more than $44,500 for each student from state and federal governments.
None of it seems to have helped.
The high school now has its 31st principal in 24 years. Its attendance rate has been trending downwards from a low base since 2011. Last year it was 43.3 per cent, which was slightly higher than the year before, but far lower than the average across the state (90.7 per cent) or statistically similar schools (76.7 per cent), the freedom of information documents show. Just five of 151 students attended school more than 90 per cent of the time, compared with 31 per cent in similar schools.
In the five years to 2018, the average yearly staff turnover was 50 per cent. Potential recruits were deterred by the geographical isolation and the violence. Two female teachers have been on long-term leave due to severe injuries sustained while being assaulted by female students on school grounds, multiple sources say, and staff members have been hit, spat upon and had their cars damaged.
The turnover and vacancies mean, among other things, that there’s little educational continuity in a school where it’s particularly important. NAPLAN results show many of the students struggle with the basic skills they will need to function in society; the average year 9 score was below minimum standard in every subject but spelling and numeracy. In writing, the average year 9 student was functioning at year 3 level.
Some local families do not want to send their children there. They say they don’t learn, and the conflict makes them anxious.
Kathryn Sharpley’s daughter Caroline Ashby, who is 12, finds the work too easy - her mother says it’s often at year 5 level - and doesn’t like the violence. “Some days she doesn’t want to go, because of all the fights around the school,” her mother says. “She loves maths, it’s her favourite subject. Going there, they’re making her take a step back. I tell her, being Aboriginal doesn’t mean you can’t get somewhere in life.”
Mrs Sharpley could send Caroline to Queensland to live with relatives, or to a school in the nearby town of Lightning Ridge. “I’d prefer her to be close to us, than move a long way,” she says.
Local mother Rebecca Trindall has organised a daily bus to Lightning Ridge, which is about 45 minutes away, and is lobbying for Walgett children to be given automatic access to that school rather than having to lodge out of area applications. “Each year, families are forced to relocate from Walgett or send children away to simply be educated as there are no options available to them locally outside of Walgett Community College.”
One ongoing issue has been tension between principals and community leaders. Richard Rule, the principal installed as part of Dr Piccoli’s makeover, lasted two years. He says he came under pressure from the school reference group - community members who help make school decisions - to leave. Few principals since have lasted much longer.
“[They] were of the belief I was not running the school in the spirit of Connected Communities,” he says. “In Walgett’s case, the model just didn’t work. I wanted a well-run school where children stayed in the classroom and had a teacher in front of them and actually learned something in a stable environment.
“That did not seem to satisfy the reference group, who seemed to want some sort of cultural revolution in their school that was never going to happen while the school was unstable, with violence and teachers under threat.”
The Dharriwaa Elders lay the blame for continued dysfunction with the NSW Department of Education, which “continues to fail to provide what’s needed for Walgett students to succeed at school,” they said in a statement published on their website after the Herald requested an interview. They say they are being denied figures on suspension by Aboriginality, which, they say, means NSW Education wants to hide the link between school suspensions and a lack of support for disability and trauma.
They want the school to stop calling police “as their first response to behaviour incidents”, and say officers should be banned from bringing guns onto the school site. “Recently there was an escalation when five police cars attended the high school to arrest a young teenage girl,” their statement says. “ Walgett school leadership must train their staff to de-escalate behaviours in our young people and decommission their hotline to police. The criminalising of our young people when they aren’t well has to stop.
“We conclude that Walgett schools are not culturally or physically safe.”
Piccoli acknowledges the conflicting expectations of school staff and the community. “When incidents occur at school, and the school takes the disciplinary action it would take at any other school, sometimes the community doesn’t respond well to that,” he says. “Walgett is a very unique place. So it has to be a unique school.
“For example, having police - the community didn’t like that. They don’t want it to be seen as a justice precinct. It’s got to be an education precinct. And they’re right, but you have to be able to guarantee staff safety as well.”
The Connected Communities program was supposed to build bridges between schools and the community. The NSW Department of Education evaluated the program a few years ago, and its findings were ambivalent. On the plus side, most of the 15 schools were successfully introducing local Aboriginal language programs, and attempting to incorporate Aboriginal content into their curriculum.
However, the role of School Reference Groups lacked clarity, it says, and there was uncertainty - “and in some cases tension” - around their role in decision-making. The strategy has also, as yet, had little impact on academic outcomes or attendance at the secondary level. Attendance has gone backwards, and schools were still struggling to engage parents in students’ education. The NSW Department of Education has nevertheless expanded the number of schools involved in the program from the original 15 to 31.
Mark Banasiak is an upper house MP representing the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party, and is also a former teacher. He has taken a particular interest in Walgett, and worries about the students. “People need to be held accountable for these failures to deliver,” he says.
“I’m turning my attention to people higher up, past the executive principal, who are supposed to be supporting the school. Until you address that core issue about why some elements of the community are not coming along with the school’s plan, you are never going to achieve the change you need. The tragedy is it’s the kids that suffer the most. Education should be a circuit breaker in this community, and a way for the community to grow and prosper, and at the moment that’s not happening.”
Asked about the issue in parliament, Education Minister Sarah Mitchell acknowledged there was more to do. “Part of it is the work we need to do to make sure that our staff feel supported, that they feel empowered and that we work not just with the school but also with the whole of the community,” she says.
“We know that some entrenched issues in the Walgett community have existed for years. These are things that multiple government agencies are working on together, and they will continue to do so.”
Mr Rule is sceptical about the whole-of-government approach. “I went to some of those meetings and there was a lot of rhetoric,” he says. “I don’t think I saw in the school one positive outcome from any of the state and federal agencies.”
The NSW Department of Education refused the Herald’s request to interview the school’s principal, who, some say, has brought relative stability in the past 11 months. It gave a statement saying that the Department of Regional NSW was working with community leaders to improve youth education, vocational training, employment and social outcomes.
There’s no easy solution for Walgett, says Piccoli. “There are deep social and historical issues there, that are difficult to change,” he says. Inter-agency collaboration was important, but often did not involve people senior enough to cut through the bureaucracy.
“If I had five minutes to talk to [Secretary of the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet] Michael Coutts-Trotter, I would say, ‘we need a minister for Walgett, or a deputy secretary’. It’s very hard to change human behaviour, but we can certainly provide the fundamentals and basics that most people take for granted ... that we haven’t got right there.
“The bottom line is you can never give up. You have to keep getting the best support you can there.”
The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here. | https://www.theage.com.au/national/nsw/violence-is-disrupting-learning-at-walgett-high-no-one-knows-what-to-do-about-it-20220330-p5a9gf.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_national | 2022-04-01T01:56:02Z |
Tunic reminds me of my own journey and the adoption of video games into my life.
I reminisced about when cartridges and accompanying manuals were the norm. Canadian indie developer Andrew Shouldice has a lot of love for that golden age of video games and Tunic wears its fondness for era on its sleeve.
The game is an adorable and colourful love letter to top-down 2D dungeon crawlers. More specifically, Tunic is inspired by The Legend of Zelda series. This is evident not only by the Tunic name, a nod to the Hyruelian’s garb, but also its central items being a blue-and-red-emblazoned shield and sword. Being a product of the early ’90s, Tunic speaks to me on a deep level. Bringing Tunic into a more contemporary light, the game incorporates a lot of Dark Souls elements into its gameplay.
Tunic takes a minimalist approach to its storytelling. Much like many games of the NES era, a lot of the story is interpreted by the player. We see the central anthropomorphic fox character — who, for simplicity’s sake, I’ll call “Tunic” — wake up on the shores of an island. Here, the journey of piecing together the mysteries on this isle begins in this isometric game.
Due to Tunic taking a hands-off approach to storytelling, the game mainly pulls you through the paces by way of collecting manual pages. Just like how I poured hours over the Super Mario World manual back in the day, everything you need to know about Tunic can be found by collecting these pages in the Overworld. The first few pages you find walk you through the controls and tutorial phase of the game. I eventually navigated my way to find a sword and shield, thus establishing myself as a fighting force on the island.
“Tunic isn’t afraid to put the responsibility in the hands of the player. Once you understand the toybox, it’s easier to progress and solve the many brilliant puzzles.”
Tunic’s objectives hinge around a central temple located in the middle of the island. First, you must open the doors by ringing two belltowers on the island. Next, players must locate three keys being guarded by bosses deep within the game’s dungeons. I explored a range of diverse areas including a forest temple, beach-side ruins, and snowy hilltops. The game never actively directs the player via exposition or dialogue. It’s all discovered by parsing through the recovered pages of the manual. Tunic isn’t afraid to put the responsibility in the hands of the player. Once you understand the toybox, it’s easier to progress and solve the many brilliant puzzles.
Tunic features several puzzles to piece together as you make your way across each of the various hubs featured in its Overworld. There are two common puzzles throughout the game. The first is the obelisk puzzle, which connects these vibrant power rails to one another. Praying at these obelisks will activate them and oftentimes open up a fast travel portal or a door to progress. The other is line puzzles. Throughout the world, I came across patterns that I traced using the D-Pad on Xbox Series X. Sometimes these would spawn a collectible treasure, a faerie, or open up secret passages.
One of the most novel aspects of Tunic is its fictional undecipherable language that is commonly used throughout the world and in the manuals. This leads to some required critical thinking from the player. Some pages have scribbles and notes made, akin to my own as a kid. This led to me playing connect the dots across the pages. In many ways, this genius puzzle design was my favourite aspect of playing Tunic. In fact, I was so invested in this 10-hour tale, I fully completed the game and all its achievements.
“Exploration is key in Tunic and the game rewards the curious. Even after completion, I’m certain that there are still little routes I’ve yet to take…”
With this hands-off approach in mind, some of the navigation and objectives of Tunic can be a bit obtuse. There’s no waypoint or traditional compass on-screen, so finding your way to the various dungeons and back again can become a bit frustrating. A lot hinges on memorizing the map and learning about the game’s shortcuts. Often, hitting a wall would open up invisible paths. Paths even snake their way behind waterfalls. Exploration is key in Tunic and the game rewards the curious. Even after completion, I’m certain that there are still little routes I’ve yet to take as I may not have organically come across them throughout my journey. The lack of direction can lead to some irritating moments. There were a couple of moments when I felt stonewalled by the game when the solution was staring me in the face.
Where Tunic’s diversions from the NES-era are the most apparent is its gameplay. While maintaining a somewhat simplistic approach to defeating skeletons, and other mobs, the game takes a lot of inspiration from the ‘Soulsborne’ genre. Enemies hit hard and Tunic only has a set amount of health and potions. Tunic can dodge out of the way of enemy attacks or use his shield to protect himself. Similar to Elden Ring’s health regenerating Sacred Flasks, once depleted I had to scurry back to one of the many prayer statues. This regenerates health, mana, and potions but also the mobs. While certainly challenging at times, Tunic is more accessible by virtue. Plus the game offers a ‘No-Fail’ mode and the option to get rid of stamina restrictions.
It’s been an interesting period for me as I distracted myself from Elden Ring with Tunic and found myself enamoured by how similar the two games are. Both games offer little instructions and rely on astute problem-solving and fortitude. Tunic puts difficulty in the back seat but still offers its own unique challenges. This is apparent in some of the later boss battles. Though, thanks to some of the additional weaponry like the Magic Staff, Magic Orb, and bombs, victory is feasible.
Tunic features a wonderfully crafted world and art style. While maintaining the familiar look of a game I’d play on an old CRT, Tunic is more refined in its appearance. The Quarry, a later area in the game, does feature some on-screen effects that aren’t that pleasant to look at. Thankfully, there is an in-game item to negate those effects.
The soundtrack in Tunic is also whimsical and soothing. I don’t have a standout track in mind, though the music reinforces the lighthearted and curious nature of our central fox character. It ramps up when needed but otherwise provides a calming audible treat in the backdrop during exploration and puzzle-solving.
As a ’90s kid, Tunic hits on so many levels. The game celebrates the pre-internet days of gaming. Where manuals were the Bible and sole resource to reach the credits. It creates a meta-level of gaming that pays off in many ways. Though, the hands-off approach does come at a cost at times when you lose direction in the overworld. While providing a solid challenge throughout, Tunic is an accessible and caring game for players young and old. Those weary of the Soulsborne comparisons can rest assured that the climax is obtainable. With this in mind, Tunic is a game that you shouldn’t miss.
Tunic is available on PC, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S for $34.99. The game can also be played via Xbox Game Pass.
Image credit: Finji | https://mobilesyrup.com/2022/03/31/tunic-review/ | 2022-04-01T01:56:03Z |
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CHARLES CITY, Iowa – A Charles City educator has been inducted into the Iowa Association of Alternative Education (IAAE) Hall of Fame.
Don Betts, director and teacher at Carrie Lane High School, is being honored as a pioneer in alternative education in Iowa. IAAE says Betts’ lengthy efforts have now created an alternative schooling environment for younger students, leading to the founding of the FLEX online branch of Charles City’s Innovative Campus for upper elementary, middle school and high school students.
“Don’s legacy blows me away every time I think about it,” says Josh Dean, a teacher at the Innovative Campus and a colleague of Betts. “There are hundreds of kids throughout the world whose lives are forever changed for the better because they have met this amazing man. He has literally been the difference between life and death for many of our kids.”
The IAAE Hall of Fame honors those who have made significant contributions to the field of alternative education, ranging from specific innovations to research, publications and an ability to engage and inspire students, colleagues and the greater community. Teachers, counselors, supervisors, administrators and other educators are eligible for nomination on an annual basis.
“I went from not wanting to attend school to going in at 6 a.m. to have morning talks with Mr. Betts,” says Matthew Heffron, a 2011 graduate of Carrie Lane High School. “The talks were about family, school, life and generally everything. Mr. Betts pushed every single student to make sure he not only got the best out of them, but that they got the best out of themselves.”
In nominating Betts for the IAAE Hall of Fame, students and colleagues alike pointed to his ability to build community and connect with students on a personal level.
“Don Betts and Carrie Lane High School have been successful because of the family culture he has created with his students,” says Dan Caffrey, juvenile court liaison officer at Charles City High School. “Don does an amazing job of providing opportunities for his students to get connected in our community, as well as perform community service projects. His wisdom and culture building are second to none.” | https://www.kimt.com/news/hall-of-fame-induction-for-charles-city-educator/article_4a58b6e4-b14f-11ec-b1d5-d7de60a300bd.html | 2022-04-01T01:56:03Z |
Kambosos to fight Haney for undisputed lightweight title in June
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MELBOURNE, April 1 (Reuters) - Australian George Kambosos and American Devin Haney will fight for the undisputed lightweight championship of the world at Melbourne's Docklands Stadium on June 5, organisers announced on Friday.
Kambosos, who won four of the world lightweight belts with his stunning upset of Teofimo Lopez in New York last November, had insisted he would defend his titles on home soil.
The 28-year-old had been in negotiations to fight Ukrainian Vasiliy Lomachenko in his first defence but those plans were scuppered when the former champion elected to stay at home and help defend his country against the Russian invasion.
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"It is good to be back home, five years I've been on the road, five years I've been doing it tough," Kambosos told a news conference at Docklands Stadium.
"There were only two names I ever asked for for this fight, Lomachenko and Devin Haney. Unfortunately, Lomachenko's not available. Beautiful, Devin Haney step up, now we'll take your belt."
Haney (27-0) has held the World Boxing Council title since 2019, successfully defending it four times.
"I'm so grateful for this opportunity, I can't wait," the 23-year-old said by video link from the United States.
"It's going to be a hell of a fight and there will finally be a king of the division."
The bout will take place at the 53,000-capacity venue on Sunday afternoon Australian time, allowing it to be broadcast in prime time on June 4 in North America.
Kambosos (20-0) can expect strong backing in the stadium from his fellow Greek-Australians. Melbourne boasts the largest Greek population of any city in the world outside Greece.
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Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. | https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/kambosos-fight-haney-undisputed-lightweight-title-june-2022-04-01/ | 2022-04-01T01:56:03Z |
This year will mark California’s 94th annual State FFA Leadership Conference.
This year it will be held in Sacramento March 26- 29 in the Golden 1 Center. FFA Chapters from all over California will meet in Sacramento where there will be leadership workshops, special guest speakers, go on educational tours, have the chance to engage with agriculture industries and colleges in the career expo and attend the exciting sessions put on by our state officers!
Hanford FFA will be taking 30 of our own members to attend this exciting event! Not only does Hanford FFA get to attend but we also have many state finalists; who will be competing at Sacramento for the chance to take home a State Championship in their respective competition.
Most recently, Mia Gillum competed in the Job Interview Competition this past Thursday! On Sunday, March 27, Lainey Combes was announced for State Scholarship Recipients. Later in the day, Proficiency Winners were announced and the members competing in this event are, Brennan Elszy, Emily Carpenter, John Bray and Devin Collins as well as Kody Kevorkian.
On Monday, March 28, all state finalists in Agriscience Research were announced on stage. These Hanford FFA state finalists are, Erlyne Pimentel, Joel Rios, Baylee Dutra, Jackson Zoldak, Mikayla Cortez, Brennan Elszy, John Bray, Kevin Martin Sigla and Emma Silveria!
We wish all of those competing the best of luck. Hanford FFA will be rooting for you from back home! All Hanford FFA members attending this conference, we wish you a fun and safe trip! | https://hanfordsentinel.com/lifestyles/the-future-of-farming-hanford-ffa-ready-for-leadership-conference/article_e4a75a3f-b68f-5d82-af0c-dbf9866d7690.html | 2022-04-01T01:56:03Z |
People who suffered from even mild cases of COVID-19 face an increased risk of being diagnosed with diabetes within a year of recovering from the illness, a new study reports.
Researchers found that people who had COVID-19 were about 40% more likely to develop diabetes within a year after recovering, compared to participants in a control group. The likelihood of developing diabetes grew if the patient suffered from a serious infection that led to hospitalization or a stay in intensive care.
"What's surprising is that it is happening in people with no prior risk factors for diabetes" before becoming infected with COVID-19, said Ziyad Al-Aly, the lead author of the study.
These latest findings add to a growing list of studies showing that people who suffered from COVID-19 are at risk of facing other long-term health problems. Those include heart and kidney ailments and chronic fatigue.
Al-Aly also helped lead the study that showed the prevalence of cardiac issues in people who survived COVID-19 infections.
This newest study, published Monday in the Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology journal, analyzed data from more than 180,000 patients from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
The study's authors compared patients who tested positive for COVID-19 and survived the illness for more than a month with more than 4 million other people who didn't contract COVID in the same period. This data was also compared with another 4.28 million patients who were treated at the VA in 2018 and 2019.
The paper states that around 1% to 2% of people who have been infected with COVID will develop diabetes as a result. That may seem like a small number, but nearly 80 million people in the U.S. have had COVID, Al-Aly told NPR — meaning 800,000 to 1.6 million people developing diabetes who might not have otherwise.
"That translates to a really significant number of people with new onset diabetes in the U.S. and many, many more around the world," Al-Aly said.
Nationwide, approximately 34 million people had diabetes pre-COVID, according to Jorge Moreno, an internal medicine physician at Yale University who didn't work on Al-Aly's study. Doctors expect roughly 1.5 million new people to be newly diagnosed with diabetes each year during normal times, he told NPR.
What to look out for
This study shows that as a nation, more attention needs to be paid to the long-term effects of COVID-19, Al-Aly said. More vigilance can start at the doctor's office.
"We need to start treating COVID as a risk factor for diabetes," Al-Aly said, adding that each person who has come down with the virus needs to be screened.
Moreno told NPR he believes this study will create more awareness among general practitioners and endocrinologists, like himself, to screen patients who have had COVID for diabetes and other complications.
Those who've had COVID should also be closely monitoring their health and changes in their body, Moreno said, and should seek help at the first sign of an issue. Major symptoms for diabetes include increased thirst, frequent urination (which is not influenced by how much liquid consumed) and blurry vision. Major weight fluctuations are also a sign.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.kvcrnews.org/2022-03-31/covid-19-infection-increases-your-risk-for-diabetes-a-new-study-says | 2022-04-01T01:56:03Z |
Agreement Contains Substantial Wage, Benefit Increases
SIMI VALLEY, Calif., March 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- After nine months of negotiations, workers at Waste Management, Inc. (WMI) in Simi Valley, Calif. have voted by a 97 percent margin to ratify their first contract with Teamsters Local 186.
"These workers were tired of the harassment and mistreatment from management, so they fought hard to organize and then they fought hard for a collective bargaining agreement," said Abel Garcia, Local 186 Secretary-Treasurer. "This was a long, tough fight but we overcame the company's stall tactics. The WMI Negotiating Committee hammered out the issues and stuck together throughout the process. It's a great first contract."
The contract includes a number of substantial improvements, including significant annual wage increases, overtime guarantees, pension contributions, and a better, more affordable union health care plan.
Juan Moreno, a residential driver who has been with WMI for over 24 years, served on the union negotiating committee and is proud to be working under a strong Teamster contract.
"With the union, work is better for everyone," said Moreno. "The pay is better, they have to treat us better, and now we have the confidence to talk about our problems and concerns. My wife is in a union, so I've seen how other people in a union are at work. They're much happier, much less stressed on the job."
Teamsters Local 186 represents workers in a wide variety of industries throughout Ventura County and the surrounding communities. For more information, go to https://www.teamsterslocal186.org/.
Contact:
Dan Moskowitz, (770) 262-4971
dmoskowitz@teamster.org
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SOURCE Teamsters Local 186 | https://www.kmvt.com/prnewswire/2022/03/31/waste-management-workers-simi-valley-ratify-first-contract-with-teamsters-local-186/ | 2022-04-01T01:56:03Z |
Ukraine's Zelenskiy says situation in some places tough, fires top officials
- Volodymyr Zelensky fired two senior officials, accusing them of being 'traitors'
- President Zelensky said the two men had betrayed their oath to defend Ukraine
- Sacked pair were both senior members of Ukraine's national security service
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last night fired two senior officials, accusing them of being 'traitors' and warning others they would be punished.
In a rare example of dissent among Ukrainian officials since the Russian invasion in February, Zelensky accused the two men, who worked for the national security service, of failing in their duty to protect the country.
He also said the situation in the south and the Donbas region remained extremely difficult and reiterated that Russia was building up forces near the besieged city of Mariupol.
Zelensky made the comments in a televised address last night
Zelensky said he had fired the two top officials at the national security service - the overall head of internal security as well as the head of the agency's branch in the Kherson region.
'I do not have time to deal with all the traitors, but they will gradually all be punished,' he said, adding that the two men had betrayed their oath to defend Ukraine. He did not give specific details.
The occasion marked the first time Zelensky has announced high-profile sackings of those involved in Ukraine's defence.
Zelensky, who often uses colourful imagery, said the Russians were so evil and so keen on destruction that they seemed to be from another world, 'monsters who burn and plunder, who attack and are bent on murder'.
Russia says it is carrying out a 'special operation' to disarm and 'denazify' its neighbour. Moscow also denies Kyiv's accusations that Russian forces are targeting civilians.
Zelensky said Ukrainian forces had pushed back the Russians from Kyiv and Chernihiv - two cities Moscow had announced would no longer be the focus of attacks as they seek to secure the separatist Donbas and Luhansk regions in the south-east.
'There will be battles ahead. We still need to go down a very difficult path to get everything we want,' he said.
'The situation in the south and in the Donbas remains extremely difficult.' | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10674293/Ukraines-Zelenskiy-says-situation-places-tough-fires-officials.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | 2022-04-01T01:56:03Z |
Fresh Catch & Wine @ Old Harbour Bay Fishing Village
Let's lift your Spirits!
Thursday, March 31, 2022The Old Harbour Fishing Village is one of the largest fishing villages in Jamaica, if not the largest. This bustling seaport is five kilometres (3 miles) from Old Harbour, St Catherine.
I arrive just in time to see people rushing to meet an incoming boat. After getting out of the car and walking around I ask a nearby fisherwoman, Rosezine, what all the excitement is about — thinking that my timing was perfect and I am right on time for an incoming canoe with a sizeable haul of #freshcatch. No such luck! The rush of people is to welcome two returning fishermen who had been stuck at sea. I watch as fishermen and fisherwomen crowd around the two men and started hugging them as they were walking up the beach, happy to see that they had safely returned to shore.
Realising that the two men can do anything but drink wine — needing to hydrate and rest — I turn to Rosezine and ask, “Are you a fisherwoman?” She answers in the affirmative. Rosezine Banton was born on the beach. “Whole a we born on the beach,” she proudly declares before adding that she's been a fisherwoman for just over eight years.
I follow her to meet her crew and to source hog snapper. I am soon introduced to another fisherman and Rosezine's life partner, her husband Omar Banton.
As I look into the igloo, Omar sounds off on his #freshcatch notably snapper, mullet, snook, silver fish and porgy. “We call it (Porgy) Macka because of the spikes on the back,” he informs.
Omar has been fishing since he was a 9th grader at Old Harbour High.
Porgy seems to be a common fish but I had never heard of it before I started visiting fishing villages in Jamaica. Another fisherman, Shawn Banton (Omar's brother), describes the porgy flesh as “soft” but “sweet”. I soon realise that this is a family affair and business that operates in the close-knit community of Old Harbour Bay Fishing Village.
I have the wines, they the fish. Rosezine directs me to a shady spot under a sea grape tree so we can share, sip and savour.
They start to tell me about their cooking styles. “Steam, brown and fry, all purpose, and corn fish.” Corn fish? That's something new. I immediately think about corn pork but it's far from it!
“We dry it like salt fish and cook it same way,” Rosezine shares. Omar adds that it can be done with any fish. “Cut him from his back (not belly) and slab him (butterfly the fish).” Then “we clean him up and put likkle salt, cornmeal, Scotch bonnet pepper, and pimento. The fish is then put in the sun by hanging it on a wire or laying it flat, two-three days and it's ready. You can also corn it in the fridge,” he explains.
This week's pours are Josh Prosecco, 1924 Sauvignon Blanc, Santa Cristina Casasole, Minuty Ros� and AIX Ros�, and for the grande finale, Oyster Bay Pinot Noir.
For the Josh Prosecco, my fishing crew suggests brown stew fish because of the flavour and, too, a roast fish.
“This drink nice, nice fish, and a nice wife,” Omar says. The Josh Prosecco is also Rosezine's favourite. Omar likes it so much he wants to go and buy it. Josh Prosecco is sparkling and bright, with refreshing acidity and a touch of sweetness from ripe fruit making it ideal for savoury and spicy dishes.
1924 Double Gold Sauvignon Blanc is up next. “Dis one strong,” Omar says. His brother recommends fry fish and fry lobster, with bammy and festival. “This would taste and fit it right.” This wine is crisp with aromas of bright citrus and stone fruit (think: peach, plum, and apricot, to name a few). This lively white wine is the perfect partner for an array of seafood dishes.
I open the Santa Cristina Casasole Orvieto Classico. Having had this one before I knew what's coming. “This one! This one is the one. It's softer and smooth. This with a nice steam fish with okra and pumpkin and some Irish would be perfect. Rosezine is not wrong. Indeed, this wine is softer and in fact was described as having a smooth sweetness when I revisited the tasting note profile.
We then move on to the two ros�s (one drier than the other). The Minuty M Ros� is a favourite go-to summer water and would pair well with some of the lighter cooking styles of fish, shrimp and anything seafood done on the grill. On the AIX Ros�: “This strong too,” Omar shares. “Have you ever had curry conch? This would go well. Roast foil conch too.” AIX Ros� is elegant, generous and delicious!
“All seafood would taste good with these wines.” Omar says as he, Shawn and Rosezine review the bottles displayed on the table. I open our last bottle. On to the red! As soon as we are tasting the wine Shawn blurts out, “Stuffed fish with cabbage, or callaloo, pumpkin and Maggie (noodle-cock soup) and likkle butter — stuff it and it would be great!”
My crew of three has by this time grown to a crew of seven.
“The whole a dem can drink with food and dem can all keep it in a sauce,” shares Fire Sea — a young Rasta fisherman also born on the sea. He says, “For fisherman, that is a must and I have been fishing from the day I was born.” When he cooks he will cook ital and fish dishes too.
Trainer Rat, another fisherman that joined our ranks, says that the wine would also go well with his signature dish “lobster cuisine” also known as “brown stew cuisine”.
Tolu Paul says, “It's roast fish for me. Season it with salt, lime, tomato, cucumber and Scotch bonnet. You make the sauce then dip roast — cooking the fish in the sauce after it's built. I would have this with the Casasole. If you want a likkle okra it can go in it, but not everyone likes okra so it's not used frequently.”
We laugh. We laugh a lot. I take pictures and ask them to smile and they smile even more. I start packing up to leave when Omar looks up with a slight smile and asks, “So when are you coming back?”
They invite me to return to sit again, taste wine and eat. Turns out we have people in common from when I would go out on the canoes to Pigeon or Pelican island. We exchange numbers — plus I want to buy fish and have been searching for hog snapper. Rosezine walks me to my car and we promise to keep in touch.
It was a good day with good people, fish and wine. I drive out of Old Harbour Bay Fishing Village savouring this travel adventure, not knowing what or who I would find when I first started out. But leaving with a full heart and new friends.
“Travel changes you. As you move through this life and this world you change things slightly, you leave marks behind however small. And in return, life — and travel — leaves marks on you.” — Anthony Bourdain
#NoReservations #Lent #Fish #Wine #Winelover #willtravelforfoodandwine. Find and follow me on Instagram and TikTok @raihndrops. Let's lift your spirits!
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(Pocket-lint) - E3 2022 has been cancelled.
The Entertainment Software Association, which organises E3, said the trade event will return next year "with a reinvigorated showcase that celebrates new and exciting video games and industry innovations".
The ESA previously announced that E3 would not be held in person in 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but now, it's confirming there won't even be a digital E3 showcase this year. "Instead, we will devote all our energy and resources to delivering a revitalized physical and digital E3 experience next summer", the ESA explained in its statement. "Whether enjoyed from the show floor or your favorite devices, the 2023 showcase will bring the community, media, and industry back together in an all-new format and interactive experience."
E3 is generally a three-day expo for games, with some of the world's biggest publishers and console manufacturers showing the titles that will be coming out later that year and beyond. It is considered one of the largest gaming-related expos. It usually takes place in person in June at the Los Angeles Convention Center. It first kicked off there in 1995 and was held annually until 2020 - when it was cancelled for the first time. In 2021, it was held entirely online.
Pocket-lint has attended the show several times, bringing you hands-on experiences of the latest games and breaking news as it happened.
As for E3 2023, currently, it's expected to be both an online and in-person event. | https://www.pocket-lint.com/games/news/160626-there-will-be-no-e3-this-year | 2022-04-01T01:56:04Z |
Consumer Confidence Goes From ‘bad To Worse’
Labour is failing the squeezed middle with new ANZ data showing consumer confidence has collapsed to the lowest on record, National’s Finance spokesperson Nicola Willis says.
“It’s no surprise that Kiwi families are feeling the pinch. The cost of living crisis is affecting everyone, but Labour’s April 1 changes do absolutely nothing for the squeezed middle.
“And Kiwis expect they’ll keep falling further behind under Labour. As ANZ has said today, things have gone from bad to worse.
“The net number of households who believe they will be better off in the next year has fallen to a record low. Inflation expectations at 6 per cent are well above the Reserve Bank’s target range of 1-3 per cent.
“With a majority of households now saying it’s a bad time to buy a major household item, it’s clear Labour’s economic mismanagement and failure to provide tax relief to the squeezed middle is making life harder and harder for Kiwi families.
“Labour should urgently back National’s plan for tax relief. Under our plan, a family with two earners on $60,000 each a year with two teenagers would receive $1600 in tax relief.
“Every dollar counts in a cost of living crisis. But Labour has forgotten about the squeezed middle.” | https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA2204/S00006/consumer-confidence-goes-from-bad-to-worse.htm | 2022-04-01T01:56:06Z |
The Hill’s 12:30 Report – Presented by Facebook – Biden announces Supreme Court pick amid unfolding Ukrainian crisis
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–> A midday take on what’s happening in politics and how to have a sense of humor about it.*
*Ha. Haha. Hahah. Sniff. Haha. Sniff. Ha–breaks down crying hysterically.
THE LATEST IN UKRAINE
The situation is just as tense as yesterday:
Via The Associated Press’s Yuras Karmanau, Jim Heintz, Vladimir Isachenkov and Dasha Litvinova, “Russian troops bore down on Ukraine’s capital Friday, with gunfire and explosions resonating ever closer to the government quarter, in an invasion of a democratic country that has fueled fears of wider war in Europe and triggered worldwide efforts to make Russia stop.” https://bit.ly/3ske6AP
The worrisome possibility: “[T]here [are] growing signs that Vladimir Putin’s Russia may be seeking to overthrow Ukraine’s government. It would be his boldest effort yet to redraw the world map and revive Moscow’s Cold War-era influence.”
Where do things stand? How much has Russia seized?: “In the fog of war, it was unclear how much of Ukraine remains under Ukrainian control and how much or little Russian forces have seized. The Kremlin accepted Kyiv’s offer to hold talks, it appeared to be an effort to squeeze concessions out of Ukraine’s embattled president instead of a gesture toward a diplomatic solution.”
More on the current situation: https://bit.ly/3ske6AP
Live blog of updates on the unfolding situation: https://bit.ly/3JPquP0
SIGHTS AND SOUNDS:
Here’s a live feed of what it looks like in Kyiv, Ukraine, right now: From The Washington Post: https://wapo.st/3HkwQUU
People are sheltering in a subway station: Photo from ITV News’s Dan Rivers: https://bit.ly/3M18ovr
Wow, look at all of these war protesters in St. Petersburg, Russia: https://bit.ly/3t6IVYM
Here’s an overhead shot of the St. Petersburg protesters: https://bit.ly/3HfyLdj
And protesters marching through Moscow: Via The Wall Street Journal’s Matthew Luxmoore. This video has more than 13.2 million views: https://bit.ly/3BQrGik
The Russian embassy in Ireland was defaced: Via Sky News’s Stephen Murphy, here’s a photo of red paint thrown on the embassy gate in Dublin, Ireland: https://bit.ly/3576rwI
The French ambassador’s Washington, D.C., residence lit up with the colors of the Ukrainian flag last night: Photo from CNN’s Jake Tapper: https://bit.ly/3IfUi77
Signs and protests outside the Russian embassy in Washington, D.C.: Photos from Washingtonian’s Lauren McCaffrey: https://bit.ly/3BTWaQM
Pope Francis visited the Russian embassy in Rome this morning — why that’s big: Via The Associated Press, “Popes usually receive ambassadors and heads of state in the Vatican. For Francis to travel a short distance to the Russian embassy outside the Vatican walls was a sign of his strength of feeling about Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.” https://fxn.ws/3td1fQd
‘WHY AMERICANS SHOULD CARE ABOUT THE UKRAINE-RUSSIA CONFLICT’:
This explanation from ABC News’s Meredith Deliso is helpful: https://abcn.ws/3pglyL4
‘BIDEN LOCKS INTO BATTLE WITH ENIGMATIC PUTIN’:
Read Niall Stanage’s column in The Hill: https://bit.ly/3JSFEDd
HERE’S THE LIST OF SANCTIONS EACH COUNTRY HAS IMPOSED ON RUSSIA:
From CNN: https://cnn.it/3M1o69T
It’s finally Friday — we made it. I’m Cate Martel with a quick recap of the morning and what’s coming up. Send comments, story ideas and events for our radar to cmartel@thehill.com — and follow along on Twitter @CateMartel and Facebook.
Did someone forward this to you? Want your own copy? Sign up here to receive The Hill’s 12:30 Report in your inbox daily: http://bit.ly/2UoupvN
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Hear more from Paige on why Facebook supports updating regulations on the internet’s most pressing challenges, including federal privacy legislation.
THE OTHER BIG NEWS THIS MORNING
Ketanji Brown Jackson, you’re up!:
President Biden will nominate federal appeals judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, 51, to the Supreme Court. If confirmed, Jackson will be the first Black woman to serve on the court.
What to know about Jackson: Via CNN’s Jake Tapper and Ariane de Vogue, “Jackson clerked for [retiring Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer] and served as a federal public defender in Washington – an experience that her backers say is fitting, given Biden’s commitment to putting more public defenders on the federal bench.” https://cnn.it/3JSV5uZ
Biden will introduce Judge Jackson at 2 p.m. EST: Here’s the livestream: https://bit.ly/3M0Ekjo
TIMING AND REACTIONS:
If you’re wondering whether to refer to her as ‘Jackson’ or ‘Brown Jackson’: NBC News’s Frank Thorp V tweeted, “FYI, as we head into the Senate confirmation process, during her last confirmation hearing [Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.)] asked Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson is she goes by ‘Judge Brown Jackson’ or ‘Judge Jackson’. Her response: Judge Jackson” https://bit.ly/33TEGHA
What a wild week to make the announcement: The White House had said Biden would announce his nomination by the end of February, so it was inevitably announced amid the Ukrainian crisis.
Was this announcement timing a surprise?: Not really. The Washington Post reported last night that Biden had made his choice. https://wapo.st/3IkFWm4
Stepping back, it’s pretty wild a Supreme Court nomination is not the top story of the day: Politico’s Christopher Cadelago pointed out, “In normal times, Biden’s nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson would dominate the news cycle and take over the Sunday shows. For now, it’s completely swamped by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.” https://bit.ly/3hhf0aN
Progressives’ favorite pick: The Hill’s Niall Stanage pointed out: “Happy day for progressives, for whom Ketanji Brown Jackson was the preferred choice.” https://bit.ly/3JTy2QP
Three Republicans voted to confirm her last year: “Three Republicans voted last year to confirm Jackson to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit: Sens. Susan Collins (Maine), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Lindsey Graham (S.C.).” What this means for the confirmation process, via The Hill’s Brett Samuels: https://bit.ly/3pfw05y
Judge Brown isn’t a huge surprise: The Atlantic’s Elaine Godfrey wrote on Jan. 26, “Biden’s Likeliest Supreme Court Pick: If nominated, Ketanji Brown Jackson wouldn’t necessarily change the Court’s balance. But she would make history.” https://bit.ly/3vjfeXk
TIDBIT — WOW, HOW THINGS COME FULL CIRCLE:
CNN’s Ariane de Vogue found a photo and article of Ketanji Brown Jackson as a high school senior. “I want to go into law and eventually have a judicial appointment,” it reads. Photo: https://bit.ly/3pfSgwl
LATEST WITH THE CORONAVIRUS
Hey, this is an area we can breathe a sigh of relief!:
Via The Associated Press’s Zeke Miller, “The Biden administration will significantly loosen federal mask-wearing guidelines to protect against COVID-19 transmission on Friday, according to two people familiar with the matter, meaning most Americans will no longer be advised to wear masks in indoor public settings.”
What to expect in the announcement: https://bit.ly/35vheAV
CASE NUMBERS:
Coronavirus cases in the U.S.: 78,804,479
U.S. death toll: 945,032
Breakdown of the numbers: https://cnn.it/2UAgW3y
VACCINATION NUMBERS:
Total number of vaccinations administered in the U.S.: 552 million shots have been given.
Seven-day average of doses administered: An average of 181,222 doses
For context: The U.S. population is roughly 331 million.
Breakdown of the numbers: https://bloom.bg/3iVTPLH
GET IN THE KNOW:
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NOTABLE TWEETS:
It’s been a tense week for everyone. I’ll keep this section light today.
Pumpkin is a mover and a shaker:
The New Republic’s Grace Segers tweeted about her cat: “Pumpkin really loves C-SPAN. Every time I turn it on [he] will sit right in front of the TV to watch. He doesn’t do this for any other show or channel on the TV.” Photo — he really is enthralled: https://bit.ly/3M04cvY
Segers then added: “I would love to claim credit for Pumpkin being the genius cat of a political reporter, but our working theory is that the movement on C-SPAN looks more ‘real’ to him than other shows/channels, giving him the impression that he could bat at it successfully.” https://bit.ly/3heDHEX
^ I’m personally going to stick with the theory that he is a genius cat of a political reporter.
CBS News’s Kathryn Watson tweeted a screenshot of an overheard.washingtondc Instagram post of a conversation in Aruba. A couple said they are from Richmond, Va., which they claimed is “like 45 mins away” from Washington, D.C.
Watson added: “Lol 45 minutes. Says someone who has never driven I-95 in their life.” https://bit.ly/36vUAbU
ON TAP:
The House and Senate are out. President Biden and Vice President Harris are in Washington, D.C.
8 a.m. EST: Vice President Harris held a virtual meeting with the leaders of Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and the European Union to discuss the response to Russia’s invasion.
9 a.m. EST: President Biden met with fellow North Atlantic Treaty Organization Secretary General (NATO) leaders to discuss the situation in Ukraine.
11:45 a.m. EST: President Biden received the President’s Daily Brief.
12:30 p.m. EST: The Hill is hosting a virtual event, “America’s Report Card” ahead of President Biden’s State of the Union address. Featured speakers: Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-S.C), Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), and White House senior adviser Cedric Richmond. Details and RSVPs: https://bit.ly/33PEyZs
WHAT TO WATCH:
Today: The second day of the Conservative Political Action Conference. Livestream: https://bit.ly/36vzqL0
11:30 a.m. EST: The White House is hosting an event, “Power, Media and Representation: The Importance of Diversity in Media.” Livestream: https://bit.ly/3vet7pt
2 p.m. EST: President Biden delivers remarks on his nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to serve on the Supreme Court. Livestream: https://bit.ly/3M0Ekjo
3:30 p.m. EST: A press briefing by Defense Department spokesman John Kirby. Livestream: https://bit.ly/3smGMJv
3 p.m. EST: White House press secretary Jen Psaki holds a press briefing. Livestream: https://bit.ly/3JYEpT9
IN LIGHTER NEWS:
Today is National Clam Chowder Day. Saturday is National Pistachio Day and Sunday is National Strawberry Day.
And because it’s been a tough week and I want to leave you with a laugh, here’s a demonstration of how to care for an owl who is recovering from anesthesia: https://bit.ly/3pjGjWn
^ Make sure your sound is on for the narration. 😉
The Hill has removed its comment section, as there are many other forums for readers to participate in the conversation. We invite you to join the discussion on Facebook and Twitter. | https://thehill.com/homenews/1230-report/595852-the-hills-1230-report/ | 2022-04-01T01:56:04Z |
Business sentiment worsened for the third consecutive month in March due to the soaring prices of raw materials.
According to the Bank of Korea on Thursday, the business survey index(BSI) for all industries stood at 83 for March, down two from the previous month.
A reading below 100 indicates that pessimists outnumber optimists.
The index dropped for three straight months after rising to 87 in December.
The central bank attributed the worsened BSI to the continued spread of the omicron variant as well as rising prices of raw materials and logistics costs resulting from disruptions caused by the war between Russia and Ukraine.
In particular, the BSI for manufacturers plunged seven points on-month to 84 in March, the lowest since February of last year.
The BSI for non-manufacturers, which includes restaurants, wholesalers and retail businesses, remained unchanged at 81.
Meanwhile, local firms' business outlook for April slipped five points on-month to 83. | http://world.kbs.co.kr/service/news_view.htm?lang=e&Seq_Code=168645 | 2022-04-01T01:56:06Z |
AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Anna Davis was little more than a silhouette from right of the ninth green as darkness fell quickly at the end of a long day at the Augusta National Women's Amateur. The only light came from a video board and headlights from carts making their way in.
Not the least bit rattled, the 16-year-old from San Diego pitched with perfect pace to 2 feet to save par and post a 4-over 76 at Champions Retreat, one of only nine players to finish the second round.
What started as lingering thunderstorms turned into a heavy rain that delayed the start of the second round for for seven-and-a-half hours. That led to what should be a longer day, but far more fun on Friday.
Fifty-one players will finish the second round in the morning — some with only one hole to play, others with nine holes — before heading over to Augusta National for a practice round.
It starts with an elite competition. It ends for so many of them with a dream come true.
Of the nine players who finished, Davis was at 2-over 146 and in a tie for eighth, virtually assured of being among the 30 players from a field of 60 who advance to the final round at the home of the Masters.
No one was under par.
Beatrice Wallin of Sweden was 1 under for the round through 16 holes and even par for the tournament, tied with Amari Avery, who also was 1 under for the day through 16.
Joining them at even par was Hailey Borjas, the Californian who plays at Michigan. Her day ended on a sour note with consecutive bogeys. Even so, she was excited for Friday.
She was at Augusta National earlier in the week, driving down Magnolia Lane and having a group dinner hosted by the club chairman.
“Seeing Augusta for the first time, it was like a dream come true,” Borjas said.
She was more excited about her first chance to play it than her position in the Augusta National Women's Amateur, in its third year but already considered elite among amateur events because of where it's at.
“I don't really like to think about golf when I'm playing golf, if that makes any sense," Borjas said. “I like to talk about other things, like shoes. So to think about Augusta National tomorrow will keep me going.”
U.S. Women's Amateur champion Jensen Castle had the best round going at 2 under through 16 holes, leaving her one shot out of the lead.
The course was just as difficult as the opening round, when strong wind allowed only five players to break par. The wind subsided after the rain, though it left the course soggy and longer, even as the greens were slightly more receptive.
Rose Zhang, the No. 1 amateur in the world, made progress by not really going anywhere. She put together one bogey and 13 pars and improved from a tie for 39th to a tie for 26th.
Rachel Heck of Stanford, the No. 3 player in women's amateur golf who won six times in one semester last year as a freshman, was going the other direction. Heck had a pair of double bogeys in her opening four holes and was 5 over through 10 holes, leaving her outside the projected cut line at 6 over.
The cut is a hard 30. Any ties lead to a sudden-death playoff to see who advances, although everyone gets to play a practice round at Augusta National on Friday.
___
More AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://www.myjournalcourier.com/sports/article/Rain-slows-Augusta-Women-s-Amateur-as-no-one-left-17049897.php | 2022-04-01T01:56:07Z |
LEBANON, Pa. (AP) — A Pennsylvania police officer was killed and two others injured Thursday during a shooting that occurred while responding to a domestic disturbance call, Lebanon Mayor Sherry Capello said.
Police officers went to a home in the city at about 3:30 p.m. for the disturbance call. Nearly an hour later gunfire broke out and officers radioed in they were hit, Capello said at a brief news conference.
All three officers were taken to hospitals. One of them has been pronounced dead. A second was in critical condition, but stable, and a third was in stable condition, Capello said.
“This is an extremely difficult moment for everyone,” Capello said.
The suspect, a 34-year-old man from Lebanon, was killed in the shooting, Lebanon Police Chief Todd Breiner said.
“As one can imagine, it's clearly a traumatic event,” Breiner said. “Our guys are strong, but we're human and we have families.”
The slain officer's name is being withheld pending notification of extended family members.
Police did not release further details. | https://www.greenwichtime.com/news/article/1-officer-killed-2-others-shot-in-Pennsylvania-17049870.php | 2022-04-01T01:56:08Z |
Beware the mailbox that dares anger a bull on the loose, for as the saying goes: you mess with the bull, you get the horns.
Body camera video from a police officer shows the moment a 9-month-old bull named "Butch" on the loose laid waste to such a mailbox in Stafford Township after escaping from a local farm Wednesday.
“Officer Pascale was not amooooosed when he got dispatched to this call on Hilliard Ave today,” the Stafford Township Police Department posted on its Facebook page.
After a quick lick – perhaps to try and sense its fear through taste – the video shows the bull hooking the mailbox from underneath with its horn and yanking it up off the ground, along with the post it was attached to.
It turns out mailboxes are not cut out to be matadors. Who knew?
The officer, parked next to the bovine, can be heard chuckling as he calls someone. “She’s busy assaulting a mailbox right now,” the officer says.
Stafford Township police Capt. Jim Vaughn called it a “great escape” and said the roughly year-old bull got loose – along with several pigs and a goat – through a gate that was not properly secured.
U.S. & World
After a while, animal control arrived and managed to secure the bull by enticing it with food, Vaughn said.
Despite the video also showing the bull darting through the front yard of a house, the only property damage done was to the mailbox, Vaughn added.
On Thursday the bull was taken to Skylands Animal Sanctuary and Rescue in Sussex County, New Jersey, where he'll have much more room to roam.
"He'll be fantastic," Mike Stura of Skylands told NBC10. "He's nice as it is. You know. He was playing with that mailbox. That was just playing. He wasn't mad."
The bull's owner, Veronica Tkaczuk, told NBC10 she rescued Butch when he was just weeks old so he wouldn't be raised for slaughter.
"It's a little sad but I know that he's getting to like, he's so strong," she said. "He's so big and so strong and I would hate for something bad to happen." | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/national-international/watch-bull-on-the-loose-in-nj-town-lays-waste-to-mailbox/2929448/ | 2022-04-01T01:56:07Z |
LEBANON, Pa. (AP) — A Pennsylvania police officer was killed and two others injured Thursday during a shooting that occurred while responding to a domestic disturbance call, Lebanon Mayor Sherry Capello said.
Police officers went to a home in the city at about 3:30 p.m. for the disturbance call. Nearly an hour later gunfire broke out and officers radioed in they were hit, Capello said at a brief news conference.
All three officers were taken to hospitals. One of them has been pronounced dead. A second was in critical condition, but stable, and a third was in stable condition, Capello said.
“This is an extremely difficult moment for everyone,” Capello said.
The suspect, a 34-year-old man from Lebanon, was killed in the shooting, Lebanon Police Chief Todd Breiner said.
“As one can imagine, it's clearly a traumatic event,” Breiner said. “Our guys are strong, but we're human and we have families.”
The slain officer's name is being withheld pending notification of extended family members.
Police did not release further details. | https://www.ctpost.com/news/article/1-officer-killed-2-others-shot-in-Pennsylvania-17049870.php | 2022-04-01T01:56:08Z |
WOOD RIVER - Waggoner Equipment Rental, LLC has been chosen as the March 2022 Riverbend Growth Association Small Business of the Month award recipient.
Located at 6 Helmkamp Drive in Wood River, the family-owned and operated company has been in business for 35 years. Waggoner is a large equipment rental company, with a core fleet of deck cranes that range from 2.5 tons to 25 tons. Additionally, they have a solo 33-ton boom truck as well as rough terrain cranes with a range of 35 to 160 tons. They can also provide their customers with forklifts/telehandlers and skid steer equipment as needed, as well as crane mats and rigging.
Waggoner provides free onsite job evaluations and consultations and offers 24-hour service as needed. All their operators are NCCCO certified and members of International Union of Operating Engineers and they have a fully staffed shop to service the equipment. | https://www.newsbreak.com/news/2556266093148/terri-denison-of-the-small-business-administration-discusses-their-core-services | 2022-04-01T01:56:08Z |
Five-star center Yohan Traore commits to Auburn
Auburn has to find a way to replace All-American and potential No. 1 pick Jabari Smith, the highest-rated recruit in program history.
The Tigers took the first step in doing this Thursday evening, when five-star center Yohan Traore committed to Auburn as a member of the 2022 recruiting class. He is the No. 4 center and No. 15 overall prospect in his class, according to the 247Sports Composite. He is also the second-highest rated recruit in program history.
Traore was originally committed to LSU but backed off his pledge after head coach Will Wade was fired.
Checking in at 6-foot-10 and 225 pounds Traore projects as either a four five at Auburn. If Walker Kessler does leave for the NBA he could slide in as the starting center or move to the four if Kessler returns.
Traore is originally from France and is the third member of Auburn’s recruiting class. He joins four-star wing Chance Westry and three-star point guard Tre Donaldson.
Auburn went 27-4 last season and were SEC Regular season champions but lost in the Round of 32 to Miami. Adding Traore will be a major boost for the Tigers.
War Eagle 🧡💙 pic.twitter.com/Cqe6jPiWxM
— Yohan Traore (@traore_yohan) March 31, 2022 | https://sports.yahoo.com/five-star-center-yohan-traore-003002046.html?src=rss | 2022-04-01T01:56:09Z |
Surgeries hang in the balance as COVID strikes down health staff
By Matt Dennien
Some Queensland hospitals could suspend elective surgeries as rising COVID cases and hospitalisations of health staff and infected patients place pressure on the health system.
Fifty extra pop-up vaccination clinics will be set up for the school holidays to make it easier for families and children to get the jab — with school-aged and booster rates lagging.
A total of 10,722 new infections were reported on Friday, with 403 people in the state’s public and private hospital system with the virus. Fourteen of these are in intensive care units.
The number of Queensland Health and ambulance staff off work because of infections or close contact requirements had also risen again to 3305, more than double the number of a week ago.
“This will put increasing pressures on our health systems,” Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said.
“Each hospital and health service, based on their demand, can be looking at whether they need to suspend planned care - that means elective surgery.
“We are not at this stage looking at having a statewide suspension of elective surgery, and we hope not to need to do that in this current wave.”
Ms D’Ath said 2373 of the new cases were children, and she urged parents and carers to take advantage of the pop-up clinics set to spring up at shopping centres, amusement parks and schools.
More details were expected to be released on the Queensland Health website.
Chief Health Officer John Gerrard said the disproportionate number of children being infected was likely due to low vaccination rates among the cohort and less exposure to the previous wave of the virus in January.
He said the state was approaching the peak of the latest wave, meaning case numbers could soon decline, but hospitalisations and health workforce pressures would lag by one or two weeks.
Data suggested the wave would be about one-third the size of January’s peak owing to increased vaccination. But authorities were still unsure whether winter would bring another wave.
“Vaccination has completely transformed this pandemic,” Dr Gerrard said. “So it’s critical, of course, that people continue to get vaccinated.“
Queensland’s booster rate among the eligible population, at 61.4 per cent, is the lowest in the country.
And its vaccination rate among the five- to 11-year-old age group sits at only 43.3 per cent first-dosed.
The Morning Edition newsletter is your guide to the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here. | https://www.theage.com.au/national/queensland/surgeries-hang-in-the-balance-as-covid-strikes-down-health-staff-20220401-p5aa0b.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_national | 2022-04-01T01:56:09Z |
Ninh Thuan striving towards dynamic, sustainable development
Since its re-establishment 30 years ago, the southcentral province of Ninh Thuan has been exerting efforts to make breakthroughs towards dynamic and sustainable development.
A view of Vinh Hy Bay in Ninh Thuan province (Photo: VNA)
Ninh Thuan (VNA) – Since its re-establishment 30 years ago, the southcentral province of Ninh Thuan has been exerting efforts to make breakthroughs towards dynamic and sustainable development.On December 26, 1991, during its 10th session, the 8th-tenure National Assembly decided to divide Thuan Hai province into Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan provinces. On April 1, 1992, Ninh Thuan was re-established with four district-level entities, namely Phan Rang - Thap Cham, Ninh Son, Ninh Hai, and Ninh Phuoc.
Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Tran Quoc Nam said since then, many mechanisms and policies have been issued to create a favourable legal corridor for socio-economic development in Ninh Thuan. Besides, Vietnam’s intensive and extensive integration in the “Doi moi” (Renewal) period, as well as national industrialisation and modernisation, has brought about numerous opportunities for the local development.
The first 10 years since its re-establishment (1992 - 2000) was the time Ninh Thuan faced an array of challenges and had to invest resources in addressing difficulties and identifying orientations for its growth.
In the following decade (2001 - 2010), the province managed to effectively capitalise on its potential and advantages, thus achieving moderate and relatively comprehensive growth. Its economy in 2010 expanded by 5.7 folds from 2000, rising 8.31 percent annually on average.
Over the last 10 years, it has raised its stature and boosted all-round, fast, and sustainable development with a new mindset. In particular, the Government’s Resolution No. 115/NQ-CP, dated August 31, 2018, has created conditions for Ninh Thuan to optimise local potential and competitive edges while strongly attracting investment, especially as it has been envisioned to become an energy and renewable energy centre of Vietnam, according to Nam.
Chairman of the Ninh Thuan provincial People’s Committee Tran Quoc Nam (Photo: VNA)
He noted over past three years, despite many difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the province has remained one of the fastest growing localities nationwide, ranking fourth among the 63 provinces and cities.Over the development course, Ninh Thuan has gained a facelift, with modern and uniform infrastructure built and many urban areas taking shape. From a province with underdeveloped infrastructure, it now boasts seaport, railway, road, and irrigation systems and is gradually establishing itself as an energy and renewable energy centre of the whole country.
Tourism is on its way to become a key economic sector in the context that a number of local destinations have been planned to become national tourism sites. While industrial parks and clusters have proved to be magnets to investment, the zones designated to serve as economic engines are coming into being.
Ninh Thuan targets average annual growth of 10.84 percent for 2021 - 2030. To that end, it is pushing ahead with economic restructuring, growth model reform, science - technology application, innovation, digital transformation, development of a digital economy and digital society, and improvement of economic competitiveness.
Chairman Nam said in the coming time, the province will step up administrative procedure reform, investment climate improvement, and competitiveness enhancement.
It will also focus on developing the key and potential sectors into growth drivers, particularly energy, renewable energy, high-end tourism, high-tech agriculture, maritime economy, urban economy, and its southern key economic zone.
In addition, the province will mobilise maximum resources for completing infrastructure, with priority to transport, seaport, irrigation, urban, industrial, power transmission, digital information, health care, education, cultural, and tourism facilities, in order to meet requirements in socio-economic development, environmental protection, and climate change response, the official added./. | https://en.vietnamplus.vn/ninh-thuan-striving-towards-dynamic-sustainable-development/224369.vnp | 2022-04-01T01:56:08Z |
I’d never seen a dead horse used as a weapon before. Now I’ll laugh every time I hear the word horseplay. And neigh, I don’t think that makes me crazy. At least not in the world of Weird West.
Weird West is the kind of game where you try to steal a bottle of whisky, but end up killing half the town by setting the bar on fire instead. You can play the game carefully and get through the story unseen and unscathed. Or you can get weird — it’s all up to you.
Developed by Wolfeye Studios, Weird West takes the immersive sim genre to new heights. It’s a fascinating blend between western and gothic horror that gives you a wide array of tools and sets you free into its world. More than any game I’ve played in recent memory, it offers a true sandbox.
The game starts with you waking to the sounds of your husband being kidnapped and your son being murdered. After a few quick tutorials to introduce the combat mechanics, travel system and character upgrades, you’re let loose. It’s up to you whether you want to go after the culprits, take on bounties, or set off in a random direction on the map. No matter what you choose, you’re sure to encounter scenarios that will test your creativity, skill and luck.
The most immersive of sims
For those unfamiliar with the genre, immersive sims are built on the idea that players should be able to approach a situation in any way they see fit. Popular games in the genre include Deus Ex, Deathloop, Dishonored, and Prey. The last three of those were made by Arkane Studios, a studio co-founded by Wolfeye Studio’s Creative Director, Raphael Colantonio. Their current team might be a bit smaller, but that also means they have more creative freedom. And immersive sims are all about freedom. Whether you want to go in guns blazing or take the stealthy route, the genre is defined by giving player’s as much freedom as possible when it comes to gameplay. Weird West encourages outside-the-box — even if that means performing heinous crimes.
Early in the game, a text box pops up telling you that you can kill anyone you meet — even important story characters. And they weren’t kidding. If you want to walk into a random town, murder everyone in sight, loot their bodies, and sell their belongings back to their families, you can. It’s not just about violence, though. You can often find solutions to problems by exploring the environment, making friends, or just being patient. The game is built on a set of rules. It’s up to you to manipulate those rules to your advantage.
If you really want, you can play the entire game without killing anyone. Or so the developers say. I’m having way too much fun being the monster of the west to try it out.
Thanks to some smart decisions by the developers, Weird West‘s systems truly feel like they’re reacting to your decisions. This isn’t a high budget first-person game that needs detailed textures to achieve a sense of immersion. By cutting out unnecessary features and expensive elements, they were able to create a focused adventure that has a much grander scope than its AAA counterparts.
Despite foregoing voice acting for the most part, the game manages to create an intoxicating atmosphere that’s hard to pull yourself away from. The writer’s have done an excellent job keeping the dialogue to a minimum while still offering plenty of lore, world building, and character to the proceedings. The lower production quality is well worth the tradeoff in terms of scope and player consequence.
What was that about a flying horse corpse?
At its most basic, Weird West is a real-time twin-stick shooter with special abilities, branching dialogue, and a lot of explosions. More broadly, it’s a world where your demons are set loose. And it feels so good.
But be careful. You’re not the only one with a dark side. Walking over to the sheriff’s office, you’ll find a board with bounties on it. Take those on and you’ll reap the rewards. Fail to put your target in the ground in the allotted time though and the hunter will become the hunted.
Go to the local gun shop and you’ll find your wallet instantly lighter as you stock up on the finest barrels and bullets. But at any moment, you might find yourself at the end of another’s shiny barrel.
When you decide to brave the wilderness and travel to your first destination, you’ll be faced with a new reality — one filled with all sorts of creatures and con artists. Travelling not only takes time, but puts you at the risk of random encounters. If you stumble across a band of robbers, you’ll need to either pay them off or settle for the smell of gunpowder.
Not all encounters are bad though. There are teasures to be had, and mysteries to unravel. Some of the best mysteries in the game come from these random encounters, and they may take hours to pay off. They’re never more than a minor deviation from your path, but they always carry the risk of using up your supplies before you reach your destination.
Once you do, it’s time to get to work.
All in a night’s work
Weird West is all about making decisions.
Let’s say you’re tasked with rescuing a prisoner from a gang out in the badlands. You can wander in, light some dynamite, and pick off your foes as the gang members descend on you in droves. This is a totally viable strategy if you’re well equipped and use your abilities effectively.
Alternatively, you can sneak into the compound, lower a rope down the well, lockpick the door to the holding cell, and distract everyone by blowing up their distillery while you escape.
Or if you don’t want to risk either of those, you could seek out a nearby saloon, get one of the gang members drunk, steal their possessions, and use map and key you find to enter the hidden entrance to the holding cells without anyone being the wiser.
Not every scenario offers this many options, but even if there aren’t planned variations by the developers, your choices are still nearly endless. Every environment in the game is a combat zone if you try hard enough.
This is one of the first immersive sims where I chose violence as often as I sought out a peaceful solution. The gunplay is satisfying, the abilities make you feel powerful, and dynamite makes things go boom.
However, while controllers can be used, playing with one on PC is far more finicky than using a mouse and keyboard — something you don’t often hear for twin-stick shooters. The aiming doesn’t feel tight in the way that something like The Ascent did with a gamepad. And not being able to remap the controls is something I’d really like to see added in a patch down the road. With a mouse and keyboard though, the combat manages to balance careful decision making and frantic real-time combat.
Or more often, those careful decisions are what lead to combat. I really needed some money to buy bullets for my rifle at one point, so I decided to steal from the local saloon. I went behind the bar and attempted to grab a bottle of whisky without anyone noticing. Well, next thing I knew guns were drawn, and I was shooting my way out of the bar.
And that’s when I accidentally shot the oil lamp.
The entire bar went up in a blaze. I ran outside, chased by the surviving patrons. Luckily for me, they were dead drunk, so a lot of their shots missed. While they were missing me though, they were hitting everything else, including my horse. One of the drunkards lobbed a full stick of dynamite in my direction. It sailed right over my head, landing at the hooves of my now dead horse. The explosion sent him careening through the air, taking out the very person who threw the dynamite. Incredible.
Give loot the boot
Not all encounters are this lively though, especially in the early game. You’ll spend a lot of time slowly sneaking up behind people and knocking them out before they can react to save on ammunition. There’s not much to the stealth here. It’s a lot of hiding in bushes, waiting for the moment to strike, and dragging bodies out of sight.
But that’s not the real issue. The problem is the pacing outside of combat and conversations. And it comes down to one thing: loot.
Like many games in the genre, Weird West requires you to loot every nook and cranny in its world to find the best gear—and to maintain your supplies. If it had a better inventory system this might not have been too much of a pain, but by the twenty-hour mark, I was sick of looting bodies in the hopes of a shiny upgrade. I never want to see another deck of cards.
When you’re not looting though, the game manages to find ways to make most moments engaging. At any moment hell can break loose. And it’s in those moments that Weird West is at its best. They may not be constant, or even consistent, but they add up to create an unforgettable experience.
That’s also in part thanks to the music. The moment the music kicked in for the first time, I could tell that I was in for something special. It was simultaneously foreboding and inviting. An odd mix of western and electronic that I hadn’t heard before. So far, this is the soundtrack of the year for me. Paired with some great writing, it’s a world that’s hard to shake.
I touched upon it earlier, but the writing manages to set an ominous tone without overstaying its welcome. Most conversations only last a minute or two, though the characters will linger in your mind much longer. It isn’t the kind of story that had me emotionally invested in every story beat, yet I found myself eagerly anticipating the next major moment. There are plenty of surprising revelations that shine a new light on the world of Weird West. It might not be at the forefront of the narrative conversation this year, but the writing here shouldn’t be overlooked.
The weird wild west
This is a world where it isn’t unusual to run into cannibals, werewolves, witches, and cults. Heathens, hounds, and hallowed souls are bound to threaten your life. And you’re connected to many of these supernatural elements.
Throughout Weird West, you won’t just play as one character, but five. While you start as a bounty hunter with an unnatural aptitude for firearms, you’ll inhabit several other beings as well. Each presents a new view of the world and the battlefield. Don’t expect the same strategies to work for every character. And don’t be afraid to experiment.
That’s why I haven’t completed the main story of Weird West just yet. I have countless saves, replaying the same scenarios over and over again to see what the game would let me get away with. And it turns out, it’ll let you get away with almost anything. After all, it’s the wild west.
It’s the kind of game that will have you delivering secret love letters between gang members. The kind of game that will have you wondering what would happen if you stacked all of those boxes in the corner and toppled them on top of that guy who insulted you. And the the kind of game that lets you murder the father of a family, watch the family bury him the next day, dig up his corpse to steal his valuables at night, and come back the next day to find the family burying him again.
Even though I’m in the last couple hours of the main story, I’m far from finished with the experience. It’s the rare game where I don’t feel the need to be the good guy. Because you are held accountable for your actions, punished for your sins, and praised for killing those who dare attempt to dole that punishment out.
Weird West is now available on Playstation, Xbox, PC and Game Pass.
Image credit: WolfeEye Studios | https://mobilesyrup.com/2022/03/31/weird-west-review/ | 2022-04-01T01:56:09Z |
ROCHESTER, Minn.-Poultry exhibition shows have been placed on pause by the state of Minnesota to help contain the spread of bird flu.
The Minnesota Board of Animal Health's Executive Director and State Veterinarian Dr. Beth Thompson tells KIMT the state has identified five counties with infected wildlife.
Thompson said she hopes wild water fowls, which are a carrier of the virus, will migrate out of Minnesota before or by the ban's expiration.
Regarding local impacts, Thompson said she does not believe state or county fairs will be affected by the ban.
"Our fairs here in the state of Minnesota, we have a little bit of time before they start up in the state and this is a pause. So, we will be reassessing probably before May 1 but the ban is April 1 to May 1," Thompson said.
Thompson said there are around 100 sites in the United States with infected wildlife and not all of the infections are in commercial animals.
The ban has been supported by people who participate in poultry shows, according to Thompson.
"We have been in contact with a lot of the folks that are involved with the poultry shows and my understanding is there is support for this. So the information is out to the people that generally sell at these sales and shows and this has also been communicated out to the public too," Thompson said.
The best way to protect your animals, according to Thompson, is to make sure wild water fowls do not have access to your property and by stepping up biosecurity to prevent the spread. | https://www.kimt.com/news/minnesota-declares-poultry-show-ban-until-may-1/article_ae2690be-b150-11ec-8a8d-03f63fe324aa.html | 2022-04-01T01:56:09Z |
Victims of domestic violence in Kings County this week received more than 100 care kits to help them deal with the trauma of abuse.
Spearheaded by Central Valley Bank of America (BofA) employees, a record number of personal critical-needs items were delivered to domestic-violence shelters in Fresno, Visalia, Madera and Hanford on Thursday, March 31.
Oftentimes, domestic-abuse victims are compelled to leave their homes empty handed.
"The women are escaping a domestic-violence situation," said Amanda Pereira, manager of BofA's Financial Center in Exeter, Calif.
The BofA 2022 stats are impressive:
- 200 volunteers
- 23,000 items
- 600 care kits
More than 100 kits were delivered to the Kings Community Action Organization (KCAO) Barbara Saville Shelter for domestic violence victims.
"We've collected more than 23,000 items," said Pereira, who coordinated the effort. She credited BofA colleagues and volunteers for making the donations a reality.
"BofA employees and volunteers across the Central Valley sourced the items and assembled the kits," Pereira said.
The kits contain "feminine hygiene" products that are necessities to victims of domestic violence. They often find themselves alone or caring for small children when they leave their homes suddenly amid threats and acts of violence, Pereira pointed out.
Those items are packed neatly inside 600 kits donated by BofA. They include tampons, deodorant, lip balm, bras and underwear, she said.
"It's a great way to give back to others in need," Pereira said.
"We donate all the items," she said of BofA and its Central Valley employees. "Then we sort them all. That's how we assemble the kits."
Two of BofA's employees joined Pereira at a location near the downtown area to deliver more than 100 kits to domestic-abuse victims in Kings County. Pereira was joined by Carmen Rodriguez and Marissa Lopez, who work for BofA in Hanford.
The three were met by staff from the KCAO Barbara Saville Shelter, including Monica Torres, shelter coordinator.
"It's very helpful for all our families," Torres said. "Most of the time, they come in with just the clothes on their backs. They come in with nothing.
"The hygiene products are very helpful," said the shelter coordinator. "There are cards inside the packages with empowering statements.... I find them on their bulletin boards as reminders that they're not alone."
Pereira called the products in the care kits necessities for women, but she also noted many people think of them as "luxury items."
"We need them every month, and it's not something that is free," Pereira said.
Torres pointed out the kits are in demand among women at the domestic-violence shelter.
"This week, alone, I can tell you I've got eight [kits] already requested," she said. In a month, Torres added, it adds up to a lot of care kits that get distributed.
"This is our third year," Pereira said of the project, noting it's grown substantially since it began. "The first year was a little over 7,000 items. Last year, was 19,000. And this year we had 23,000 items donated."
"Thank you," Torres said, turning to the women from BofA. "They do this every year. It makes our job easier. Bank of America has actually donated food to us. That's been super helpful to our clients, too." | https://hanfordsentinel.com/news/local/bofa-donates-care-kits-to-kings-county-domestic-violence-victims/article_00b72819-da68-5ed3-a1e3-78b73a9ed746.html | 2022-04-01T01:56:09Z |
Hong Kong govt 'strongly opposes' UK, US report on city's diminishing freedoms
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HONG KONG, April 1 (Reuters) - Hong Kong's government said on Friday it rejected "unfounded and ridiculous" allegations made in policy reports from Britain and the United States of a deteriorating political and legal situation due to the city's sweeping national security law.
The United States and Britain released strongly-worded reports on Thursday detailing concerns about an erosion of freedoms in the global financial hub and the stifling of dissent in the city's legislature, civil society and media.
The reports come after two senior British judges resigned from Hong Kong's highest court on Wednesday because of the national security law which punishes offences such as subversion with up to life imprisonment.
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Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam called the resignations "politically motivated", while China blamed it on "British pressure". read more
"We strongly oppose the unfounded and ridiculous allegations against the Hong Kong special administrative region's government made by foreign countries through various reports," Hong Kong's government said in a statement.
"The government urges foreign countries to stop interfering into the internal affairs of China through Hong Kong affairs."
The UK report said it was no longer tenable for serving UK judges to sit on Hong Kong's top court, citing that the city's political and legal situation "has now deteriorated beyond the point where it is acceptable for serving UK judges to take part".
British judges have long served among the foreign jurists appointed to the CFA, an arrangement put in place prior to Hong Kong's handover to China in 1997 to maintain confidence in a separate legal system widely seen as the bedrock of the city's social and commercial freedoms.
Ten other foreign judges are still serving the Hong Kong court, six of whom are retired British jurists, one Canadian and three Australians.
Business people and diplomats are watching particularly closely, given the importance of legal independence to Hong Kong's status as a global financial hub.
The differences between Hong Kong and cities in mainland China are "shrinking due to ongoing repression from the People's Republic of China," Antony Blinken, U.S. secretary of state, said in the report.
Hong Kong's government said it was proud of its "unwavering commitment" to the rule of law and an independent judiciary.
It said it was firmly committed to safeguarding press and speech freedoms, with the media able to monitor the government's work and criticise policies as long as it was not "in violation of the law."
(This story was refiled to add dropped word "it" to 1st para)
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Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. | https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/hong-kong-govt-strongly-opposes-uk-us-report-citys-diminishing-freedoms-2022-04-01/ | 2022-04-01T01:56:09Z |
The counting is over in the second union election at an Amazon warehouse in Bessemer, Alabama. But it's too close to call.
There were 993 "no" votes and 875 "yes" votes, but more than 400 contested ballots remain. According to the National Labor Relations Board, there will be a hearing within a few weeks to decide if any of the challenged ballots will be opened and counted.
More than 6,100 workers were eligible to vote in the do-over election, which was ordered after the NLRB found that Amazon had improperly interfered in last year's tally.
Turnout in this year's vote was down from last year when over half of eligible voters cast ballots. But among those who actually voted this time around, there was greater support for the union. Last year, workers voted more than 2-to-1 against joining the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, a well-established national union.
"This time around we were able to educate more about unions," said Jennifer Bates, a warehouse employee, noting that organizers were able to get closer to workers now that the pandemic has eased.
The RWDSU called for every vote to be counted.
"The tenacity and courage of these workers never wavered in this unnecessarily long process," said RWDSU president Stuart Appelbaum in a statement. "Workers will have to wait just a little bit longer to ensure their voices are heard."
Meanwhile in a separate Amazon union election on Staten Island in New York, the vote count will continue Friday morning. Roughly 8,000 workers were eligible to vote on whether to join the Amazon Labor Union, an upstart organization led by former and current Amazon warehouse employees. With ballots still to count, the union is in the lead, with 1,518 voting yes so far, and 1,154 voting no.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.kvcrnews.org/2022-03-31/do-over-union-election-at-amazons-bessemer-warehouse-is-too-close-to-call | 2022-04-01T01:56:09Z |
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VANCOUVER, BC, March 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. ("West Fraser" or the "Company") (TSX and NYSE: WFG) will hold an analysts' conference call to discuss first quarter 2022 financial and operating results on Friday, April 29, 2022 at 8:30 a.m. Pacific Time/11:30 a.m. Eastern Time.
To participate in the call, please dial: 1-888-390-0605 (Toll-free North America) or (416) 764-8609 (Toll number) or connect on the webcast.
Please let the operator know you wish to participate in the West Fraser conference call chaired by Mr. Ray Ferris, President and Chief Executive Officer.
Following management's discussion of the quarterly results, the analyst community will be invited to ask questions.
The call will be recorded for webcasting purposes and will be available on our website at www.westfraser.com. West Fraser's first quarter 2022 financial and operating results will be released on Thursday, April 28, 2022.
West Fraser is a diversified wood products company with more than 60 facilities in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe. From responsibly sourced and sustainably managed forest resources, the Company produces lumber, engineered wood products (OSB, LVL, MDF, plywood, and particleboard), pulp, newsprint, wood chips, other residuals, and renewable energy. West Fraser's products are used in home construction, repair and remodelling, industrial applications, papers, tissue, and box materials.
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SOURCE West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. | https://www.kmvt.com/prnewswire/2022/03/31/west-fraser-timber-co-ltd-notice-first-quarter-results-conference-call/ | 2022-04-01T01:56:09Z |
On the Menu — A Divine Thai-inspired Mango Shrimp Curry
Thursday, March 31, 2022It's mango season! But besides biting into the juicy flesh of our favourite varieties and drinking ginger-laced mango juice, there are myriad ways of utilising “the king of fruits”. Some of our favourite uses are in savoury dishes like this Thai-inspired mango shrimp curry.
What makes this recipe successful is the use of red curry paste and Thai basil. Red curries are sweet and savoury; their flavour is warm, but not biting, redolent with ginger and garlic. Though they may look the same, there is a big difference between Thai basil and sweet (regular) basil. The Thai variety is spicy with an anise (liquorice-like) flavour, while sweet basil is mildly peppery with a sweet finish.
The combination of anise, juicy tropical mango, umami (shrimp and fish sauce), and warm red curry flavours makes this dish a smash.
Ingredients:
15-20 raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 not-too-ripe fleshy mangoes like Bombay or Haden/Tommy Atkins peeled, pitted and cubed
1 large sweet potato diced into half-inch cubes
2 cups canned coconut cream
2 cups low-sodium vegetable/chicken stock
1 cup Thai basil leaves
2 tablespoons Thai red curry paste
1 teaspoon fish sauce
1 teaspoon brown sugar
2 cups cooked jasmine or basmati rice (for serving)
Method:
Step 1
Place a skillet over medium-high heat, add the coconut cream and bring to a boil. Butcher Block tip: if you can't find coconut cream, get two cans of coconut milk - but don't shake them. Carefully remove the lids and scoop out the cream that rests at the top half of each can.
Step 2
Once the coconut cream begins to boil, reduce to medium heat and simmer without stirring until the cream starts to release its natural oils. This should take approximately five minutes.
Step 3
Once the oil starts to separate from the cream, stir in the Thai red curry paste. Add vegetable stock and cubes of sweet potatoes. Reduce heat and cook until the potato is tender. This should take between 15 and 20 minutes.
Step 4
Add shrimp and mango and cook, stirring often, until shrimp turns opaque and pink, about three minutes.
Step 5
Add fish sauce, sugar and Thai basil leaves. Immediately remove from heat. Allow to sit for at least an hour before serving. Add more fish sauce (for saltiness) if necessary. If the sauce is too thick, feel free to add more stock until the desired consistency is reached.
Step 6
Before serving, reheat curry and enjoy with fluffy jasmine or basmati rice.
Photos: www.mjandhungryman.com, Mango.org and Pinterest
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