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https://www.thecourier.co.uk/sport/3170786/no-fresh-injury-worries-for-boro-boss-chris-wilder-ahead-of-fulham-visit/ | Middlesbrough boss Chris Wilder could retain the starting line-up that thrashed Peterborough for Wednesday’s clash against Sky Bet Championship leaders Fulham.
With the exception of midfielder Martin Payero, who is close to returning from an ankle injury, Wilder effectively has a fully fit squad at his disposal.
Possible options include a recall for Wales international Neil Taylor, who did not feature in the 4-0 drubbing of Peterborough.
Boro are on the march and well placed in the play-off positions with eight games left.
Fulham head to the Riverside with an eight-point advantage as Championship leaders over closest rivals Bournemouth.
They are within touching distance of clinching promotion to the Premier League, and have lost just one of their last seven Championship games.
Manager Marco Silva could recall United States international Antonee Robinson after he was rested for last weekend’s 2-0 victory over QPR.
But changes are likely to be kept to a minimum, with the Cottagers striving to keep their momentum going.
ends | 0 | 27,842 | 0 | https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/sport/4134554/no-fresh-injury-worries-for-boro-boss-chris-wilder-ahead-of-fulham-visit/ | 2022-04-05 23:43:52+00:00 | Middlesbrough boss Chris Wilder could retain the starting line-up that thrashed Peterborough for Wednesday’s clash against Sky Bet Championship leaders Fulham.
With the exception of midfielder Martin Payero, who is close to returning from an ankle injury, Wilder effectively has a fully fit squad at his disposal.
Possible options include a recall for Wales international Neil Taylor, who did not feature in the 4-0 drubbing of Peterborough.
Boro are on the march and well placed in the play-off positions with eight games left.
Fulham head to the Riverside with an eight-point advantage as Championship leaders over closest rivals Bournemouth.
They are within touching distance of clinching promotion to the Premier League, and have lost just one of their last seven Championship games.
Manager Marco Silva could recall United States international Antonee Robinson after he was rested for last weekend’s 2-0 victory over QPR.
But changes are likely to be kept to a minimum, with the Cottagers striving to keep their momentum going.
ends |
https://www.thecourier.co.uk/sport/3170786/no-fresh-injury-worries-for-boro-boss-chris-wilder-ahead-of-fulham-visit/ | Middlesbrough boss Chris Wilder could retain the starting line-up that thrashed Peterborough for Wednesday’s clash against Sky Bet Championship leaders Fulham.
With the exception of midfielder Martin Payero, who is close to returning from an ankle injury, Wilder effectively has a fully fit squad at his disposal.
Possible options include a recall for Wales international Neil Taylor, who did not feature in the 4-0 drubbing of Peterborough.
Boro are on the march and well placed in the play-off positions with eight games left.
Fulham head to the Riverside with an eight-point advantage as Championship leaders over closest rivals Bournemouth.
They are within touching distance of clinching promotion to the Premier League, and have lost just one of their last seven Championship games.
Manager Marco Silva could recall United States international Antonee Robinson after he was rested for last weekend’s 2-0 victory over QPR.
But changes are likely to be kept to a minimum, with the Cottagers striving to keep their momentum going.
ends | 1 | 20,320 | 0.125226 | https://www.ireland-live.ie/news/sport/783106/no-fresh-injury-worries-for-boro-boss-chris-wilder-ahead-of-fulham-visit.html | 2022-04-05 13:07:47+00:00 | Middlesbrough boss Chris Wilder could retain the starting line-up that thrashed Peterborough for Wednesday’s clash against Sky Bet Championship leaders Fulham.
With the exception of midfielder Martin Payero, who is close to returning from an ankle injury, Wilder effectively has a fully fit squad at his disposal.
Possible options include a recall for Wales international Neil Taylor, who did not feature in the 4-0 drubbing of Peterborough.
Boro are on the march and well placed in the play-off positions with eight games left.
Fulham head to the Riverside with an eight-point advantage as Championship leaders over closest rivals Bournemouth.
They are within touching distance of clinching promotion to the Premier League, and have lost just one of their last seven Championship games.
Manager Marco Silva could recall United States international Antonee Robinson after he was rested for last weekend’s 2-0 victory over QPR.
But changes are likely to be kept to a minimum, with the Cottagers striving to keep their momentum going.
ends
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https://www.thecourier.co.uk/sport/3170786/no-fresh-injury-worries-for-boro-boss-chris-wilder-ahead-of-fulham-visit/ | Middlesbrough boss Chris Wilder could retain the starting line-up that thrashed Peterborough for Wednesday’s clash against Sky Bet Championship leaders Fulham.
With the exception of midfielder Martin Payero, who is close to returning from an ankle injury, Wilder effectively has a fully fit squad at his disposal.
Possible options include a recall for Wales international Neil Taylor, who did not feature in the 4-0 drubbing of Peterborough.
Boro are on the march and well placed in the play-off positions with eight games left.
Fulham head to the Riverside with an eight-point advantage as Championship leaders over closest rivals Bournemouth.
They are within touching distance of clinching promotion to the Premier League, and have lost just one of their last seven Championship games.
Manager Marco Silva could recall United States international Antonee Robinson after he was rested for last weekend’s 2-0 victory over QPR.
But changes are likely to be kept to a minimum, with the Cottagers striving to keep their momentum going.
ends | 2 | 16,892 | 0.297555 | https://www.newschainonline.com/sport/mens-sport/football/no-fresh-injury-worries-for-boro-boss-chris-wilder-ahead-of-fulham-visit-263442 | 2022-04-05 12:48:49+00:00 | No fresh injury worries for Boro boss Chris Wilder ahead of Fulham visit
Middlesbrough boss Chris Wilder could retain the starting line-up that thrashed Peterborough for Wednesday’s clash against Sky Bet Championship leaders Fulham.
With the exception of midfielder Martin Payero, who is close to returning from an ankle injury, Wilder effectively has a fully fit squad at his disposal.
Possible options include a recall for Wales international Neil Taylor, who did not feature in the 4-0 drubbing of Peterborough.
Boro are on the march and well placed in the play-off positions with eight games left.
Fulham head to the Riverside with an eight-point advantage as Championship leaders over closest rivals Bournemouth.
They are within touching distance of clinching promotion to the Premier League, and have lost just one of their last seven Championship games.
Manager Marco Silva could recall United States international Antonee Robinson after he was rested for last weekend’s 2-0 victory over QPR.
But changes are likely to be kept to a minimum, with the Cottagers striving to keep their momentum going.
ends
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https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-10692251/Judge-Prosecutors-filed-weak-charges-hacker-jailed.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | Judge: Prosecutors filed weak charges to keep hacker jailed
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) - A federal judge has ordered the immediate release of a computer hacker who was sentenced to 20 years in prison for helping the Islamic State, and accused the Justice Department of trumping up charges against him to keep him in jail.
The April 1 order from U.S. Judge Leonie Brinkema includes a harsh rebuke of the Justice Department's conduct against Ardit Ferizi. The native of Kosovo is the first person convicted in the U.S. of both computer hacking and terrorism charges.
He pleaded guilty back in 2016 and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. He admitted hacking a private company and pulling out the names, email passwords and phone numbers of about 1,300 people with .gov and .mil addresses and turning the data over to the "Islamic State Hacking Division." The Islamic State published the names with a threat to attack.
In 2020, in the earliest stages of the pandemic, Ferizi sought compassionate release, citing his asthma and obesity as placing him at greater risk of contracting COVID-19.
Brinkema initially denied his request. But Ferizi renewed his request when an outbreak spread through his prison, and Brinkema granted him compassionate release over prosecutors' objections.
Brinkema's ruling resulted in Ferizi's transfer to immigration authorities for deportation. Before he could be deported, though, federal prosecutors in California brought new charges against Ferizi. The criminal complaint accused him of identity theft and wire fraud by coordinating with a family member to preserve access to email accounts that included large amounts of stolen data.
Ferizi's lawyers filed to have the new charges dismissed, accusing the Justice Department of vindictive prosecution because agents were upset by Ferizi's early release.
On March 22, just before a court hearing was scheduled in California to consider the accusation of vindictive prosecution, the new charges against Ferizi were all dropped.
Brinkema, in her April 1 order, said prosecutors in California built their case on information from a fellow inmate of Ferizi with a history of unreliability.
She wrote that the circumstances of the case lead her to conclude that "there were elements within the Department of Justice who were so dissatisfied with this Court's decision to release defendant ... that they purposely tried to evade these decisions by filing very weak new charges against the defendant."
Prosecutors have argued that, now that the pandemic has subsided, the rationale for compassionate release no longer exists.
Brinkema, though, said "it would set a terrible precedent to reverse the decision to release a defendant based on a change of circumstances caused by the government's manipulation of the criminal justice system."
Brinkema's ruling is unlikely to be the final word on Ferizi's fate. Prosecutors have asked the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of appeals in Richmond to overturn Ferizi's release.
Ferizi was among a relatively small number of inmates who successfully sought early release from prison under the pandemic. According to the U.S. Sentencing Commission, more than 12,000 inmates filed motions for compassionate release in 2020 because of the pandemic. About 21% of those requests - a little more than 2,500 inmates - were granted.
A public defender representing Ferizi and a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia each declined comment. | 0 | 133,212 | 0.036246 | https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/judge-prosecutors-filed-weak-charges-132320894.html?src=rss | 2022-04-06 20:05:43+00:00 | Judge: Prosecutors filed weak charges to keep hacker jailed
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — A federal judge has ordered the immediate release of a computer hacker who was sentenced to 20 years in prison for helping the Islamic State, and accused the Justice Department of trumping up charges against him to keep him in jail.
The April 1 order from U.S. Judge Leonie Brinkema includes a harsh rebuke of the Justice Department's conduct against Ardit Ferizi. The native of Kosovo is the first person convicted in the U.S. of both computer hacking and terrorism charges.
He pleaded guilty back in 2016 and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. He admitted hacking a private company and pulling out the names, email passwords and phone numbers of about 1,300 people with .gov and .mil addresses and turning the data over to the "Islamic State Hacking Division.” The Islamic State published the names with a threat to attack.
In 2020, in the earliest stages of the pandemic, Ferizi sought compassionate release, citing his asthma and obesity as placing him at greater risk of contracting COVID-19.
Brinkema initially denied his request. But Ferizi renewed his request when an outbreak spread through his prison, and Brinkema granted him compassionate release over prosecutors' objections.
Brinkema's ruling resulted in Ferizi's transfer to immigration authorities for deportation. Before he could be deported, though, federal prosecutors in California brought new charges against Ferizi. The criminal complaint accused him of identity theft and wire fraud by coordinating with a family member to preserve access to email accounts that included large amounts of stolen data.
Ferizi's lawyers filed to have the new charges dismissed, accusing the Justice Department of vindictive prosecution because agents were upset by Ferizi's early release.
On March 22, just before a court hearing was scheduled in California to consider the accusation of vindictive prosecution, the new charges against Ferizi were all dropped.
In her April 1 order, Brinkema said prosecutors in California built their case on information from a fellow inmate of Ferizi with a history of unreliability.
She wrote that the circumstances of the case lead her to conclude that “there were elements within the Department of Justice who were so dissatisfied with this Court's decision to release defendant ... that they purposely tried to evade these decisions by filing very weak new charges against the defendant.”
Prosecutors have argued that, now that the pandemic has subsided, the rationale for compassionate release no longer exists.
Brinkema, though, said “it would set a terrible precedent to reverse the decision to release a defendant based on a change of circumstances caused by the government's manipulation of the criminal justice system.”
Prosecutors, who filed an appeal with the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond the first time Brinkema ordered Ferizi's release, have not yet indicated if they plan to appeal her most recent order.
Ferizi was among a relatively small number of inmates who successfully sought early release from prison under the pandemic. According to the U.S. Sentencing Commission, more than 12,000 inmates filed motions for compassionate release in 2020 because of the pandemic. About 21% of those requests — a little more than 2,500 inmates — were granted.
A public defender representing Ferizi and a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia each declined comment.
Matthew Barakat, The Associated Press |
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-10692251/Judge-Prosecutors-filed-weak-charges-hacker-jailed.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | Judge: Prosecutors filed weak charges to keep hacker jailed
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) - A federal judge has ordered the immediate release of a computer hacker who was sentenced to 20 years in prison for helping the Islamic State, and accused the Justice Department of trumping up charges against him to keep him in jail.
The April 1 order from U.S. Judge Leonie Brinkema includes a harsh rebuke of the Justice Department's conduct against Ardit Ferizi. The native of Kosovo is the first person convicted in the U.S. of both computer hacking and terrorism charges.
He pleaded guilty back in 2016 and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. He admitted hacking a private company and pulling out the names, email passwords and phone numbers of about 1,300 people with .gov and .mil addresses and turning the data over to the "Islamic State Hacking Division." The Islamic State published the names with a threat to attack.
In 2020, in the earliest stages of the pandemic, Ferizi sought compassionate release, citing his asthma and obesity as placing him at greater risk of contracting COVID-19.
Brinkema initially denied his request. But Ferizi renewed his request when an outbreak spread through his prison, and Brinkema granted him compassionate release over prosecutors' objections.
Brinkema's ruling resulted in Ferizi's transfer to immigration authorities for deportation. Before he could be deported, though, federal prosecutors in California brought new charges against Ferizi. The criminal complaint accused him of identity theft and wire fraud by coordinating with a family member to preserve access to email accounts that included large amounts of stolen data.
Ferizi's lawyers filed to have the new charges dismissed, accusing the Justice Department of vindictive prosecution because agents were upset by Ferizi's early release.
On March 22, just before a court hearing was scheduled in California to consider the accusation of vindictive prosecution, the new charges against Ferizi were all dropped.
Brinkema, in her April 1 order, said prosecutors in California built their case on information from a fellow inmate of Ferizi with a history of unreliability.
She wrote that the circumstances of the case lead her to conclude that "there were elements within the Department of Justice who were so dissatisfied with this Court's decision to release defendant ... that they purposely tried to evade these decisions by filing very weak new charges against the defendant."
Prosecutors have argued that, now that the pandemic has subsided, the rationale for compassionate release no longer exists.
Brinkema, though, said "it would set a terrible precedent to reverse the decision to release a defendant based on a change of circumstances caused by the government's manipulation of the criminal justice system."
Brinkema's ruling is unlikely to be the final word on Ferizi's fate. Prosecutors have asked the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of appeals in Richmond to overturn Ferizi's release.
Ferizi was among a relatively small number of inmates who successfully sought early release from prison under the pandemic. According to the U.S. Sentencing Commission, more than 12,000 inmates filed motions for compassionate release in 2020 because of the pandemic. About 21% of those requests - a little more than 2,500 inmates - were granted.
A public defender representing Ferizi and a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia each declined comment. | 1 | 99,780 | 0.100379 | https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/judge-prosecutors-filed-weak-charges-hacker-jailed-83908509 | 2022-04-06 17:43:22+00:00 | Judge: Prosecutors filed weak charges to keep hacker jailed
A federal judge has ordered the immediate release of a computer hacker who was sentenced to 20 years in prison for helping the Islamic State
ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- A federal judge has ordered the immediate release of a computer hacker who was sentenced to 20 years in prison for helping the Islamic State, and accused the Justice Department of trumping up charges against him to keep him in jail.
The April 1 order from U.S. Judge Leonie Brinkema includes a harsh rebuke of the Justice Department's conduct against Ardit Ferizi. The native of Kosovo is the first person convicted in the U.S. of both computer hacking and terrorism charges.
He pleaded guilty back in 2016 and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. He admitted hacking a private company and pulling out the names, email passwords and phone numbers of about 1,300 people with .gov and .mil addresses and turning the data over to the "Islamic State Hacking Division.” The Islamic State published the names with a threat to attack.
In 2020, in the earliest stages of the pandemic, Ferizi sought compassionate release, citing his asthma and obesity as placing him at greater risk of contracting COVID-19.
Brinkema initially denied his request. But Ferizi renewed his request when an outbreak spread through his prison, and Brinkema granted him compassionate release over prosecutors' objections.
Brinkema's ruling resulted in Ferizi's transfer to immigration authorities for deportation. Before he could be deported, though, federal prosecutors in California brought new charges against Ferizi. The criminal complaint accused him of identity theft and wire fraud by coordinating with a family member to preserve access to email accounts that included large amounts of stolen data.
Ferizi's lawyers filed to have the new charges dismissed, accusing the Justice Department of vindictive prosecution because agents were upset by Ferizi's early release.
On March 22, just before a court hearing was scheduled in California to consider the accusation of vindictive prosecution, the new charges against Ferizi were all dropped.
Brinkema, in her April 1 order, said prosecutors in California built their case on information from a fellow inmate of Ferizi with a history of unreliability.
She wrote that the circumstances of the case lead her to conclude that “there were elements within the Department of Justice who were so dissatisfied with this Court's decision to release defendant ... that they purposely tried to evade these decisions by filing very weak new charges against the defendant.”
Prosecutors have argued that, now that the pandemic has subsided, the rationale for compassionate release no longer exists.
Brinkema, though, said “it would set a terrible precedent to reverse the decision to release a defendant based on a change of circumstances caused by the government's manipulation of the criminal justice system.”
Brinkema's ruling is unlikely to be the final word on Ferizi's fate. Prosecutors have asked the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of appeals in Richmond to overturn Ferizi's release.
Ferizi was among a relatively small number of inmates who successfully sought early release from prison under the pandemic. According to the U.S. Sentencing Commission, more than 12,000 inmates filed motions for compassionate release in 2020 because of the pandemic. About 21% of those requests — a little more than 2,500 inmates — were granted.
A public defender representing Ferizi and a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia each declined comment. |
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-10692251/Judge-Prosecutors-filed-weak-charges-hacker-jailed.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | Judge: Prosecutors filed weak charges to keep hacker jailed
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) - A federal judge has ordered the immediate release of a computer hacker who was sentenced to 20 years in prison for helping the Islamic State, and accused the Justice Department of trumping up charges against him to keep him in jail.
The April 1 order from U.S. Judge Leonie Brinkema includes a harsh rebuke of the Justice Department's conduct against Ardit Ferizi. The native of Kosovo is the first person convicted in the U.S. of both computer hacking and terrorism charges.
He pleaded guilty back in 2016 and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. He admitted hacking a private company and pulling out the names, email passwords and phone numbers of about 1,300 people with .gov and .mil addresses and turning the data over to the "Islamic State Hacking Division." The Islamic State published the names with a threat to attack.
In 2020, in the earliest stages of the pandemic, Ferizi sought compassionate release, citing his asthma and obesity as placing him at greater risk of contracting COVID-19.
Brinkema initially denied his request. But Ferizi renewed his request when an outbreak spread through his prison, and Brinkema granted him compassionate release over prosecutors' objections.
Brinkema's ruling resulted in Ferizi's transfer to immigration authorities for deportation. Before he could be deported, though, federal prosecutors in California brought new charges against Ferizi. The criminal complaint accused him of identity theft and wire fraud by coordinating with a family member to preserve access to email accounts that included large amounts of stolen data.
Ferizi's lawyers filed to have the new charges dismissed, accusing the Justice Department of vindictive prosecution because agents were upset by Ferizi's early release.
On March 22, just before a court hearing was scheduled in California to consider the accusation of vindictive prosecution, the new charges against Ferizi were all dropped.
Brinkema, in her April 1 order, said prosecutors in California built their case on information from a fellow inmate of Ferizi with a history of unreliability.
She wrote that the circumstances of the case lead her to conclude that "there were elements within the Department of Justice who were so dissatisfied with this Court's decision to release defendant ... that they purposely tried to evade these decisions by filing very weak new charges against the defendant."
Prosecutors have argued that, now that the pandemic has subsided, the rationale for compassionate release no longer exists.
Brinkema, though, said "it would set a terrible precedent to reverse the decision to release a defendant based on a change of circumstances caused by the government's manipulation of the criminal justice system."
Brinkema's ruling is unlikely to be the final word on Ferizi's fate. Prosecutors have asked the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of appeals in Richmond to overturn Ferizi's release.
Ferizi was among a relatively small number of inmates who successfully sought early release from prison under the pandemic. According to the U.S. Sentencing Commission, more than 12,000 inmates filed motions for compassionate release in 2020 because of the pandemic. About 21% of those requests - a little more than 2,500 inmates - were granted.
A public defender representing Ferizi and a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia each declined comment. | 2 | 99 | 0.232256 | https://www.daytondailynews.com/nation-world/judge-prosecutors-filed-weak-charges-to-keep-hacker-jailed/OPK4WBRYLNEHXHDC4BZ3KRLTGA/ | 2022-04-06 20:21:58+00:00 | ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — A federal judge has ordered the immediate release of a computer hacker who was sentenced to 20 years in prison for helping the Islamic State, and accused the Justice Department of trumping up charges against him to keep him in jail.
The April 1 order from U.S. Judge Leonie Brinkema includes a harsh rebuke of the Justice Department's conduct against Ardit Ferizi. The native of Kosovo is the first person convicted in the U.S. of both computer hacking and terrorism charges.
He pleaded guilty back in 2016 and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. He admitted hacking a private company and pulling out the names, email passwords and phone numbers of about 1,300 people with .gov and .mil addresses and turning the data over to the "Islamic State Hacking Division.” The Islamic State published the names with a threat to attack.
In 2020, in the earliest stages of the pandemic, Ferizi sought compassionate release, citing his asthma and obesity as placing him at greater risk of contracting COVID-19.
Brinkema initially denied his request. But Ferizi renewed his request when an outbreak spread through his prison, and Brinkema granted him compassionate release over prosecutors' objections.
Brinkema's ruling resulted in Ferizi's transfer to immigration authorities for deportation. Before he could be deported, though, federal prosecutors in California brought new charges against Ferizi. The criminal complaint accused him of identity theft and wire fraud by coordinating with a family member to preserve access to email accounts that included large amounts of stolen data.
Ferizi's lawyers filed to have the new charges dismissed, accusing the Justice Department of vindictive prosecution because agents were upset by Ferizi's early release.
On March 22, just before a court hearing was scheduled in California to consider the accusation of vindictive prosecution, the new charges against Ferizi were all dropped.
In her April 1 order, Brinkema said prosecutors in California built their case on information from a fellow inmate of Ferizi with a history of unreliability.
She wrote that the circumstances of the case lead her to conclude that “there were elements within the Department of Justice who were so dissatisfied with this Court's decision to release defendant ... that they purposely tried to evade these decisions by filing very weak new charges against the defendant.”
Prosecutors have argued that, now that the pandemic has subsided, the rationale for compassionate release no longer exists.
Brinkema, though, said “it would set a terrible precedent to reverse the decision to release a defendant based on a change of circumstances caused by the government's manipulation of the criminal justice system.”
Prosecutors, who filed an appeal with the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond the first time Brinkema ordered Ferizi's release, have not yet indicated if they plan to appeal her most recent order.
Ferizi was among a relatively small number of inmates who successfully sought early release from prison under the pandemic. According to the U.S. Sentencing Commission, more than 12,000 inmates filed motions for compassionate release in 2020 because of the pandemic. About 21% of those requests — a little more than 2,500 inmates — were granted.
A public defender representing Ferizi and a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia each declined comment. |
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/reuters/article-10692041/Netherlands-sends-four-F-35-fighter-jets-Bulgaria.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | Netherlands sends four F-35 fighter jets to Bulgaria
SOFIA, April 6 (Reuters) - Netherlands has sent four F-35 warplanes to NATO ally Bulgaria to help with its air-policing tasks amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the defence ministry said on Wednesday.
The Dutch warplanes, along with Bulgarian MiG-29 fighter jets, will help protect the airspace of the Black Sea country until May 31, in line with NATO's integrated plan for air and anti-missile defence.
They will replace four Spanish fighter jets that have been supporting airspace surveillance of Bulgaria since the middle of February.
Bulgaria, on NATO's eastern flank, is also setting up a battlegroup of up to 1,000 troops in close cooperation with the alliance. (Reporting by Tsvetelia Tsolova Editing by Bernadette Baum) | 0 | 35,476 | 0.072648 | https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/netherlands-sends-four-f-35-fighter-jets-bulgaria-2022-04-06/ | 2022-04-06 13:24:46+00:00 | Netherlands sends four F-35 fighter jets to Bulgaria
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SOFIA, April 6 (Reuters) - Netherlands has sent four F-35 warplanes to NATO ally Bulgaria to help with its air-policing tasks amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the defence ministry said on Wednesday.
The Dutch warplanes, along with Bulgarian MiG-29 fighter jets, will help protect the airspace of the Black Sea country until May 31, in line with NATO's integrated plan for air and anti-missile defence.
They will replace four Spanish fighter jets that have been supporting airspace surveillance of Bulgaria since the middle of February.
Bulgaria, on NATO's eastern flank, is also setting up a battlegroup of up to 1,000 troops in close cooperation with the alliance.
Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. |
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/reuters/article-10692041/Netherlands-sends-four-F-35-fighter-jets-Bulgaria.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | Netherlands sends four F-35 fighter jets to Bulgaria
SOFIA, April 6 (Reuters) - Netherlands has sent four F-35 warplanes to NATO ally Bulgaria to help with its air-policing tasks amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the defence ministry said on Wednesday.
The Dutch warplanes, along with Bulgarian MiG-29 fighter jets, will help protect the airspace of the Black Sea country until May 31, in line with NATO's integrated plan for air and anti-missile defence.
They will replace four Spanish fighter jets that have been supporting airspace surveillance of Bulgaria since the middle of February.
Bulgaria, on NATO's eastern flank, is also setting up a battlegroup of up to 1,000 troops in close cooperation with the alliance. (Reporting by Tsvetelia Tsolova Editing by Bernadette Baum) | 1 | 31,871 | 0.096056 | https://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/netherlands-sends-four-f-35-fighter-jets-to-bulgaria | 2022-04-06 13:06:28+00:00 | Netherlands sends four F-35 fighter jets to Bulgaria
Article content
SOFIA — Netherlands has sent four F-35 warplanes to NATO ally Bulgaria to help with its air-policing tasks amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the defense ministry said on Wednesday.
The Dutch warplanes, along with Bulgarian MiG-29 fighter jets, will help protect the airspace of the Black Sea country until May 31, in line with NATO’s integrated plan for air and anti-missile defense.
They will replace four Spanish fighter jets that have been supporting airspace surveillance of Bulgaria since the middle of February.
Bulgaria, on NATO’s eastern flank, is also setting up a battlegroup of up to 1,000 troops in close cooperation with the alliance. (Reporting by Tsvetelia Tsolova Editing by Bernadette Baum) |
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/reuters/article-10692041/Netherlands-sends-four-F-35-fighter-jets-Bulgaria.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | Netherlands sends four F-35 fighter jets to Bulgaria
SOFIA, April 6 (Reuters) - Netherlands has sent four F-35 warplanes to NATO ally Bulgaria to help with its air-policing tasks amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the defence ministry said on Wednesday.
The Dutch warplanes, along with Bulgarian MiG-29 fighter jets, will help protect the airspace of the Black Sea country until May 31, in line with NATO's integrated plan for air and anti-missile defence.
They will replace four Spanish fighter jets that have been supporting airspace surveillance of Bulgaria since the middle of February.
Bulgaria, on NATO's eastern flank, is also setting up a battlegroup of up to 1,000 troops in close cooperation with the alliance. (Reporting by Tsvetelia Tsolova Editing by Bernadette Baum) | 2 | 46,593 | 0.384964 | https://www.eurasiareview.com/13042022-netherlands-deploy-f-35-fighter-jets-to-natos-air-policing-in-bulgaria/ | 2022-04-12 22:28:13+00:00 | Netherlands Deploy F-35 Fighter Jets To NATO’s Air Policing In Bulgaria
On April 6, 2022, four Royal Netherlands Air Force F-35- fighter jets landed at Graf Ignatievo Air Base near Plovdiv, Bulgaria, to safeguard the skies with the Bulgarian Air Force in April and May.
Authorised by a Bulgarian government decision and based on a Netherlands’ offer to NATO, the fifth-generation fighter aircraft support NATO’s collective response to Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. For the first time, Netherlands F-35 fighters are deployed to Bulgaria under the enhanced Air Policing mission integrating with the Alliance’s enhanced Vigilance Activities in the airspace of its eastern Allies.
NATO Allies decided to start this defensive mission in 2014 assuring members on the eastern flank of the Alliance after Russia’s annexation of Crimea. Several Allies have since supported this mission partnering with Bulgaria’s Air Force on a rotational basis.
The present Royal Netherlands Air Force deployment integrates with the reinvigoration of this mission and provides advanced air capabilities underscoring a robust and capable military posture to deter and defend. |
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/andhra-pradesh-tribal-people-want-alluri-district-headquarters-at-rampachodavaram/article65296310.ece | Andhra Pradesh: Tribal people want Alluri district headquarters at Rampachodavaram
New district headquarters is 300 km from Chintoor Agency, they say
Tribal people, political parties, and civil society representatives on Wednesday decided to wage a legal battle for the creation of Alluri Seetharamaraju district headquartered at Rampachodavaram in the erstwhile East Godavari Agency.
On April 2, the State government carved out a new district headquartered at Paderu from the erstwhile East Godavari district and named it after freedom fighter Alluri Seetharamaraju. The new district headquarters is 300 km from Chintoor Agency on the Chhattisgarh and Odisha border.
The Joint Action Committee on Alluri Seetharamaraju district headquartered at Rampachodavaram on Wednesday announced to wage a legal battle against the “injustice” being meted out to the tribal people with the creation of the new district headquartered at Paderu.
JAC Convener Balu Akkisa said that the demand of the tribal people of the erstwhile East Godavari Agency fell on the deaf ears during the creation of new districts.
Protests planned
“Relay-hunger strikes and dharnas will be staged to raise the voice of the tribal people who are forced to face many challenges to get access to government officials and departments,” said Mr. Balu.
In the meeting held here on Wednesday, JAC convener Vara Kiran, Telugu Desam Party leader Adabala Bapiraju, Tribal elders Vetla Vijaya, Pallala Lachireddy (CPI(M), Jana Sena Party leaders and representatives from Rythu Kuli Sangham decided to intensify the joint movement for the new district.
The leaders and tribal elders have threatened to continue their battle until the State government realised their challenges and created a new district headquartered at Rampachodavaram.
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- Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name, to avoid rejection. | 0 | 41,676 | 0.10976 | https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/andhra-pradesh-tribal-people-want-alluri-district-headquarters-at-rampachodavaram/article65296310.ece/amp/ | 2022-04-06 13:53:29+00:00 | Andhra Pradesh: Tribal people want Alluri district headquarters at Rampachodavaram
RAMPACHODAVARAM April 06, 2022 18:56 ISTNew district headquarters is 300 km from Chintoor Agency, they say
Tribal people, political parties, and civil society representatives on Wednesday decided to wage a legal battle for the creation of Alluri Seetharamaraju district headquartered at Rampachodavaram in the erstwhile East Godavari Agency.
On April 2, the State government carved out a new district headquartered at Paderu from the erstwhile East Godavari district and named it after freedom fighter Alluri Seetharamaraju. The new district headquarters is 300 km from Chintoor Agency on the Chhattisgarh and Odisha border.
The Joint Action Committee on Alluri Seetharamaraju district headquartered at Rampachodavaram on Wednesday announced to wage a legal battle against the “injustice” being meted out to the tribal people with the creation of the new district headquartered at Paderu.
JAC Convener Balu Akkisa said that the demand of the tribal people of the erstwhile East Godavari Agency fell on the deaf ears during the creation of new districts.
Protests planned
“Relay-hunger strikes and dharnas will be staged to raise the voice of the tribal people who are forced to face many challenges to get access to government officials and departments,” said Mr. Balu.
In the meeting held here on Wednesday, JAC convener Vara Kiran, Telugu Desam Party leader Adabala Bapiraju, Tribal elders Vetla Vijaya, Pallala Lachireddy (CPI(M), Jana Sena Party leaders and representatives from Rythu Kuli Sangham decided to intensify the joint movement for the new district.
The leaders and tribal elders have threatened to continue their battle until the State government realised their challenges and created a new district headquartered at Rampachodavaram. |
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/andhra-pradesh-tribal-people-want-alluri-district-headquarters-at-rampachodavaram/article65296310.ece | Andhra Pradesh: Tribal people want Alluri district headquarters at Rampachodavaram
New district headquarters is 300 km from Chintoor Agency, they say
Tribal people, political parties, and civil society representatives on Wednesday decided to wage a legal battle for the creation of Alluri Seetharamaraju district headquartered at Rampachodavaram in the erstwhile East Godavari Agency.
On April 2, the State government carved out a new district headquartered at Paderu from the erstwhile East Godavari district and named it after freedom fighter Alluri Seetharamaraju. The new district headquarters is 300 km from Chintoor Agency on the Chhattisgarh and Odisha border.
The Joint Action Committee on Alluri Seetharamaraju district headquartered at Rampachodavaram on Wednesday announced to wage a legal battle against the “injustice” being meted out to the tribal people with the creation of the new district headquartered at Paderu.
JAC Convener Balu Akkisa said that the demand of the tribal people of the erstwhile East Godavari Agency fell on the deaf ears during the creation of new districts.
Protests planned
“Relay-hunger strikes and dharnas will be staged to raise the voice of the tribal people who are forced to face many challenges to get access to government officials and departments,” said Mr. Balu.
In the meeting held here on Wednesday, JAC convener Vara Kiran, Telugu Desam Party leader Adabala Bapiraju, Tribal elders Vetla Vijaya, Pallala Lachireddy (CPI(M), Jana Sena Party leaders and representatives from Rythu Kuli Sangham decided to intensify the joint movement for the new district.
The leaders and tribal elders have threatened to continue their battle until the State government realised their challenges and created a new district headquartered at Rampachodavaram.
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- Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name, to avoid rejection. | 1 | 11,199 | 0.663151 | https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2022/apr/06/andhra-pradeshgovernmentmay-bifurcate-newly-formed-alluri-sitarama-raju-district-2438567.html | 2022-04-06 21:10:09+00:00 | Andhra Pradesh government may bifurcate newly-formed Alluri Sitarama Raju district
The district also has 22 mandals: 11 of Paderu, seven of Rampachodavaram and four of Polavaram submerged mandals that were merged with the State following the bifurcation in 2014.
Published: 06th April 2022 08:54 AM | Last Updated: 06th April 2022 08:54 AM | A+A A-
VIJAYAWADA: The State government is likely to create one more district by bifurcating the newly-formed Alluri Sitarama Raju district. If the government carves out one more district, Andhra Pradesh will have 27 districts.
The government had reorganised the districts from 13 to 26, and created Alluri and Parvathipuram Manyam districts covering the tribal areas of the State. Alluri was created with Paderu and Ramachodavaram division, which where earlier in Visakhapatnam and East Godavari districts, respectively.
The district also has 22 mandals: 11 of Paderu, seven of Rampachodavaram and four of Polavaram submerged mandals that were merged with the State following the bifurcation in 2014.
With the new Alluri district having its headquarters in Paderu, those living in Rampachodavaram and Polavaram submerged mandals in the twin Godavari districts have to travel almost 350 kms to reach the district’s administrative centre.
Taking into consideration the difficulty of people in reaching the headquarters - which would defeat the very purpose of decentralisation for better governance - the government is said to be considering another district, comprising Polavaram submerged mandals and Ramachodavaram.
While Rampachovaram was in the erstwhile East Godavari and Polavaram in former West Godavari, locating the headquarters in either of these mandals - separated by the River Godavari - would be beneficial and convenient for people.
Hinting at the creation of one more district, I&PR Minister Perni Venkataramaiah on Tuesday said "it is historic that of the 13 new districts, two are exclusive for tribals. Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy is seriously considering carving out another district exclusively for tribals."
If the new district is carved out, the State would have three districts exclusively for the tribal population. |
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/andhra-pradesh-tribal-people-want-alluri-district-headquarters-at-rampachodavaram/article65296310.ece | Andhra Pradesh: Tribal people want Alluri district headquarters at Rampachodavaram
New district headquarters is 300 km from Chintoor Agency, they say
Tribal people, political parties, and civil society representatives on Wednesday decided to wage a legal battle for the creation of Alluri Seetharamaraju district headquartered at Rampachodavaram in the erstwhile East Godavari Agency.
On April 2, the State government carved out a new district headquartered at Paderu from the erstwhile East Godavari district and named it after freedom fighter Alluri Seetharamaraju. The new district headquarters is 300 km from Chintoor Agency on the Chhattisgarh and Odisha border.
The Joint Action Committee on Alluri Seetharamaraju district headquartered at Rampachodavaram on Wednesday announced to wage a legal battle against the “injustice” being meted out to the tribal people with the creation of the new district headquartered at Paderu.
JAC Convener Balu Akkisa said that the demand of the tribal people of the erstwhile East Godavari Agency fell on the deaf ears during the creation of new districts.
Protests planned
“Relay-hunger strikes and dharnas will be staged to raise the voice of the tribal people who are forced to face many challenges to get access to government officials and departments,” said Mr. Balu.
In the meeting held here on Wednesday, JAC convener Vara Kiran, Telugu Desam Party leader Adabala Bapiraju, Tribal elders Vetla Vijaya, Pallala Lachireddy (CPI(M), Jana Sena Party leaders and representatives from Rythu Kuli Sangham decided to intensify the joint movement for the new district.
The leaders and tribal elders have threatened to continue their battle until the State government realised their challenges and created a new district headquartered at Rampachodavaram.
- Comments will be moderated by The Hindu editorial team.
- Comments that are abusive, personal, incendiary or irrelevant cannot be published.
- Please write complete sentences. Do not type comments in all capital letters, or in all lower case letters, or using abbreviated text. (example: u cannot substitute for you, d is not 'the', n is not 'and').
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- Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name, to avoid rejection. | 2 | 28,629 | 0.68453 | https://www.thehansindia.com/andhra-pradesh/reaching-dist-headquarters-a-herculean-task-for-tribals-745303 | 2022-05-27 19:14:36+00:00 | Reaching district headquarters, a Herculean task for tribals
Tribals of Rampachodavaram and Chinturu area are facing severe difficulty in reaching the district headquarters located at Paderu.
Rampachodavaram(ASR dist): Tribals of Rampachodavaram and Chinturu area are facing severe difficulty in reaching the district headquarters located at Paderu. This inconvenience being experienced by the tribals is giving room for the demand to establish a tribal district with headquarters at Rampachodavaram.
Tribals in the Chinturu or Yetapaka mandals have to pay around Rs 600 towards bus fare to go and return from Paderu, their district headquarters. Overnight stay and spending time for 36 hours is necessary now. Money should be spent on at least two meals and breakfast. There is no direct bus. The journey on the rugged roads between hills, valleys and forests is so tiring.
Such is the plight of the tribals of the villages under the Rampachodavaram revenue division in the newly formed Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) district. It is now felt that the government, which merged the tribal areas and formed a separate tribal district with good intentions, has at the same time ignored the hardship faced by the tribals. Reaching the State capital Amaravati is much easier for these tribals than reaching their district headquarters Paderu, in terms of both cost and time. This is true, though surprising to hear. Before the formation of Alluri Sitharama Raju district, people from 11 zones of the Rampachodavaram revenue division had to go to Kakinada for the Collectorate. The tribals of Chinturu had to travel about 150 km to reach Kakinada. This was the situation then. The State government has now reorganised the districts under the slogan of administrative decentralisation. Its purpose is to bring governance closer to the people. But now the people of Chinturu have to travel over 200 km to reach the District Collectorate at Paderu. The villagers of Yetapaka have to travel about 275 km to reach Paderu.
"If there is any problem, people can report the same at the District Collector's office. If going to the Collectorate itself becomes a big difficulty, then to whom should they tell," questions Pallala Rajkumar Reddy, TNSF State vice-president.
Alluri Sitharama Raju district was formed by merging both Rampachodavaram revenue division and Paderu revenue division. Answering a query on the tribals problem, Rampachodavaram MLA N Dhanalakshmi said, "It is true that people are facing problems to go to Paderu. However, after assessing the situation, the government started a direct bus from Rampachodavaram to Paderu to solve the problem."
But people do not accept this. They want a permanent solution. Many locals say the problem will be solved with the formation of a tribal district centred at Rampachodavaram. The local leaders of the ruling party are also in favour of the proposal. Many are demanding that Rampachodavaram should be made a tribal district along with 11 tribal zones under the Rampachodavaram revenue division as well as the Polavaram area.
"Rulers are talking about airbus in district centres. But not even proper red buses are found in our district. Not even a single bus depot is present in these 11 mandals of the Rampachodavaram division. Damaged buses are being dumped in the Agency area. The recent breakage of the axle of an RTC bus on Gurthedu Road is a clear example," said Balu Akkisa, president, Rights Watch.
"It takes 9 hours to travel from our village to Paderu Collectorate. If the authorities concerned are not available on the day, we will have to stay there another day. Can't even say how much it will cost in such situations. Hilly and forest area, we are suffering a lot," lamented Ch Venkatrayudu, village youth, Devipatnam. |
https://www.newsmax.com/world/globaltalk/russia-ukraine-war-china/2022/04/06/id/1064519/ | BEIJING (AP) — China on Wednesday said images of civilian deaths in the Ukrainian town of Bucha are “deeply disturbing” but that no blame should be apportioned until all facts are known.
Emerging evidence of what appeared to be widespread civilian massacres in the wake of Russian withdrawals from the Kyiv areas may complicate Beijing’s attempts to guide public opinion over the conflict, in which China has refused to criticize Moscow.
China supports all initiatives and measures “conducive to alleviating the humanitarian crisis” in the country, and is “ready to continue to work together with the international community to prevent any harm to civilians,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian told reporters at a daily briefing.
“The truth and the cause of the incident must be verified," Zhao said. “All parties should exercise restraint and avoid unfounded accusations before a conclusion of the investigation is drawn."
Zhao's remarks echo those of China's ambassador to the United Nations, Zhang Jun, who earlier called for an investigation, also describing the reports and images of civilian deaths in Bucha as “deeply disturbing."
“The relevant circumstances and specific causes of the incident should be verified and established," Zhang said in remarks to the Security Council on Tuesday, adding that, “before the full picture is clear, all sides should exercise restraint and avoid unfounded accusations."
China has called for talks while refusing to criticize Russia. It opposes economic sanctions on Moscow and blames Washington and NATO for provoking the war and fueling the conflict by sending arms to Ukraine.
The entirely ruling Communist Party-controlled media have largely stuck to a pro-Moscow narrative, including repeating Russian disinformation and unfounded conspiracy theories about issues such as alleged American-Ukrainian bioweapons production.
Zhao repeated China's objections to sanctions, while accusing the U.S. of having manipulated the situation to “profit from the chaos and make a lot of money."
“History and reality have proven that sanctions do not bring peace and security, but only bring lose-lose or multiple losses, adding to the already difficult world economy and impacting the existing world economic system," Zhao said.
The hashtag “China expresses Bucha death incident must be thoroughly investigated" was a trending topic on Weibo, the Chinese version of Twitter, with nearly 30 million views and more than 500 discussions by afternoon Wednesday
Despite the pro-Russian stance of authorities who regularly censor postings, opinions were divided between support for Moscow, demands Russia be held accountable, accusations of untrustworthiness against the West and Ukraine, and calls for an impartial investigation.
“This is merely a play acted out by the Americans and Ukrainian Nazis in an attempt to divert public opinion, but people of the world with eyes and hearts won't ignore the facts of the U.S. and Ukraine researching bio weapons," read one posting signed “Understands the Cold War Better Than America."
The Russian Embassy in Beijing also made use of the platform to reject the accusations, while its Ukrainian counterpart drew attention to “Russian war crimes against civilians in Irpin," another town where atrocities allegedly occurred.
Prior to the Feb. 24 war, China had dismissed talk of a Russian invasion as “fake news" and U.S. fearmongering. Since then, it has claimed to be holding to an independent, and often contradictory, stance, asserting the sanctity of borders and national sovereignty while refusing to condemn Russian aggression or even use the words “war" and “invasion," in apparent deference to Moscow.
The Global Times, a nationalistic tabloid published by the Communist Party mouthpiece People's Daily, sought to balance the competing messages with an editorial Wednesday headlined “'Bucha Incident' not to be used as pretext for inflaming situation."
“As long as Russia and Ukraine cannot achieve a cease-fire, humanitarian tragedies will not end," the paper said.
“However, it is regrettable that after the exposure of the ‘Bucha incident,' the U.S., the initiator of the Ukraine crisis, has not shown any signs of urging peace and promoting talks, but is ready to exacerbate the Russia-Ukraine tensions and create obstacles to the peace talks between the two sides," it said.
© Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. | 0 | 137,030 | 0 | https://www.mrt.com/news/article/China-calls-for-probe-into-Bucha-killings-17060679.php | 2022-04-06 10:32:11+00:00 | BEIJING (AP) — China on Wednesday said images of civilian deaths in the Ukrainian town of Bucha are “deeply disturbing” but that no blame should be apportioned until all facts are known.
Emerging evidence of what appeared to be widespread civilian massacres in the wake of Russian withdrawals from the Kyiv areas may complicate Beijing’s attempts to guide public opinion over the conflict, in which China has refused to criticize Moscow.
China supports all initiatives and measures “conducive to alleviating the humanitarian crisis” in the country, and is “ready to continue to work together with the international community to prevent any harm to civilians,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian told reporters at a daily briefing.
“The truth and the cause of the incident must be verified," Zhao said. “All parties should exercise restraint and avoid unfounded accusations before a conclusion of the investigation is drawn."
Zhao's remarks echo those of China's ambassador to the United Nations, Zhang Jun, who earlier called for an investigation, also describing the reports and images of civilian deaths in Bucha as “deeply disturbing."
“The relevant circumstances and specific causes of the incident should be verified and established," Zhang said in remarks to the Security Council on Tuesday, adding that, “before the full picture is clear, all sides should exercise restraint and avoid unfounded accusations."
China has called for talks while refusing to criticize Russia. It opposes economic sanctions on Moscow and blames Washington and NATO for provoking the war and fueling the conflict by sending arms to Ukraine.
The entirely ruling Communist Party-controlled media have largely stuck to a pro-Moscow narrative, including repeating Russian disinformation and unfounded conspiracy theories about issues such as alleged American-Ukrainian bioweapons production.
Zhao repeated China's objections to sanctions, while accusing the U.S. of having manipulated the situation to “profit from the chaos and make a lot of money."
“History and reality have proven that sanctions do not bring peace and security, but only bring lose-lose or multiple losses, adding to the already difficult world economy and impacting the existing world economic system," Zhao said.
The hashtag “China expresses Bucha death incident must be thoroughly investigated" was a trending topic on Weibo, the Chinese version of Twitter, with nearly 30 million views and more than 500 discussions by afternoon Wednesday
Despite the pro-Russian stance of authorities who regularly censor postings, opinions were divided between support for Moscow, demands Russia be held accountable, accusations of untrustworthiness against the West and Ukraine, and calls for an impartial investigation.
“This is merely a play acted out by the Americans and Ukrainian Nazis in an attempt to divert public opinion, but people of the world with eyes and hearts won't ignore the facts of the U.S. and Ukraine researching bio weapons," read one posting signed “Understands the Cold War Better Than America."
The Russian Embassy in Beijing also made use of the platform to reject the accusations, while its Ukrainian counterpart drew attention to “Russian war crimes against civilians in Irpin," another town where atrocities allegedly occurred.
Prior to the Feb. 24 war, China had dismissed talk of a Russian invasion as “fake news" and U.S. fearmongering. Since then, it has claimed to be holding to an independent, and often contradictory, stance, asserting the sanctity of borders and national sovereignty while refusing to condemn Russian aggression or even use the words “war" and “invasion," in apparent deference to Moscow.
The Global Times, a nationalistic tabloid published by the Communist Party mouthpiece People's Daily, sought to balance the competing messages with an editorial Wednesday headlined “'Bucha Incident' not to be used as pretext for inflaming situation."
“As long as Russia and Ukraine cannot achieve a cease-fire, humanitarian tragedies will not end," the paper said.
“However, it is regrettable that after the exposure of the ‘Bucha incident,' the U.S., the initiator of the Ukraine crisis, has not shown any signs of urging peace and promoting talks, but is ready to exacerbate the Russia-Ukraine tensions and create obstacles to the peace talks between the two sides," it said. |
https://www.newsmax.com/world/globaltalk/russia-ukraine-war-china/2022/04/06/id/1064519/ | BEIJING (AP) — China on Wednesday said images of civilian deaths in the Ukrainian town of Bucha are “deeply disturbing” but that no blame should be apportioned until all facts are known.
Emerging evidence of what appeared to be widespread civilian massacres in the wake of Russian withdrawals from the Kyiv areas may complicate Beijing’s attempts to guide public opinion over the conflict, in which China has refused to criticize Moscow.
China supports all initiatives and measures “conducive to alleviating the humanitarian crisis” in the country, and is “ready to continue to work together with the international community to prevent any harm to civilians,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian told reporters at a daily briefing.
“The truth and the cause of the incident must be verified," Zhao said. “All parties should exercise restraint and avoid unfounded accusations before a conclusion of the investigation is drawn."
Zhao's remarks echo those of China's ambassador to the United Nations, Zhang Jun, who earlier called for an investigation, also describing the reports and images of civilian deaths in Bucha as “deeply disturbing."
“The relevant circumstances and specific causes of the incident should be verified and established," Zhang said in remarks to the Security Council on Tuesday, adding that, “before the full picture is clear, all sides should exercise restraint and avoid unfounded accusations."
China has called for talks while refusing to criticize Russia. It opposes economic sanctions on Moscow and blames Washington and NATO for provoking the war and fueling the conflict by sending arms to Ukraine.
The entirely ruling Communist Party-controlled media have largely stuck to a pro-Moscow narrative, including repeating Russian disinformation and unfounded conspiracy theories about issues such as alleged American-Ukrainian bioweapons production.
Zhao repeated China's objections to sanctions, while accusing the U.S. of having manipulated the situation to “profit from the chaos and make a lot of money."
“History and reality have proven that sanctions do not bring peace and security, but only bring lose-lose or multiple losses, adding to the already difficult world economy and impacting the existing world economic system," Zhao said.
The hashtag “China expresses Bucha death incident must be thoroughly investigated" was a trending topic on Weibo, the Chinese version of Twitter, with nearly 30 million views and more than 500 discussions by afternoon Wednesday
Despite the pro-Russian stance of authorities who regularly censor postings, opinions were divided between support for Moscow, demands Russia be held accountable, accusations of untrustworthiness against the West and Ukraine, and calls for an impartial investigation.
“This is merely a play acted out by the Americans and Ukrainian Nazis in an attempt to divert public opinion, but people of the world with eyes and hearts won't ignore the facts of the U.S. and Ukraine researching bio weapons," read one posting signed “Understands the Cold War Better Than America."
The Russian Embassy in Beijing also made use of the platform to reject the accusations, while its Ukrainian counterpart drew attention to “Russian war crimes against civilians in Irpin," another town where atrocities allegedly occurred.
Prior to the Feb. 24 war, China had dismissed talk of a Russian invasion as “fake news" and U.S. fearmongering. Since then, it has claimed to be holding to an independent, and often contradictory, stance, asserting the sanctity of borders and national sovereignty while refusing to condemn Russian aggression or even use the words “war" and “invasion," in apparent deference to Moscow.
The Global Times, a nationalistic tabloid published by the Communist Party mouthpiece People's Daily, sought to balance the competing messages with an editorial Wednesday headlined “'Bucha Incident' not to be used as pretext for inflaming situation."
“As long as Russia and Ukraine cannot achieve a cease-fire, humanitarian tragedies will not end," the paper said.
“However, it is regrettable that after the exposure of the ‘Bucha incident,' the U.S., the initiator of the Ukraine crisis, has not shown any signs of urging peace and promoting talks, but is ready to exacerbate the Russia-Ukraine tensions and create obstacles to the peace talks between the two sides," it said.
© Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. | 1 | 748 | 0 | https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/China-calls-for-probe-into-Bucha-killings-17060679.php | 2022-04-06 10:42:02+00:00 | BEIJING (AP) — China on Wednesday said images of civilian deaths in the Ukrainian town of Bucha are “deeply disturbing” but that no blame should be apportioned until all facts are known.
Emerging evidence of what appeared to be widespread civilian massacres in the wake of Russian withdrawals from the Kyiv areas may complicate Beijing’s attempts to guide public opinion over the conflict, in which China has refused to criticize Moscow.
China supports all initiatives and measures “conducive to alleviating the humanitarian crisis” in the country, and is “ready to continue to work together with the international community to prevent any harm to civilians,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian told reporters at a daily briefing.
“The truth and the cause of the incident must be verified," Zhao said. “All parties should exercise restraint and avoid unfounded accusations before a conclusion of the investigation is drawn."
Zhao's remarks echo those of China's ambassador to the United Nations, Zhang Jun, who earlier called for an investigation, also describing the reports and images of civilian deaths in Bucha as “deeply disturbing."
“The relevant circumstances and specific causes of the incident should be verified and established," Zhang said in remarks to the Security Council on Tuesday, adding that, “before the full picture is clear, all sides should exercise restraint and avoid unfounded accusations."
China has called for talks while refusing to criticize Russia. It opposes economic sanctions on Moscow and blames Washington and NATO for provoking the war and fueling the conflict by sending arms to Ukraine.
The entirely ruling Communist Party-controlled media have largely stuck to a pro-Moscow narrative, including repeating Russian disinformation and unfounded conspiracy theories about issues such as alleged American-Ukrainian bioweapons production.
Zhao repeated China's objections to sanctions, while accusing the U.S. of having manipulated the situation to “profit from the chaos and make a lot of money."
“History and reality have proven that sanctions do not bring peace and security, but only bring lose-lose or multiple losses, adding to the already difficult world economy and impacting the existing world economic system," Zhao said.
The hashtag “China expresses Bucha death incident must be thoroughly investigated" was a trending topic on Weibo, the Chinese version of Twitter, with nearly 30 million views and more than 500 discussions by afternoon Wednesday
Despite the pro-Russian stance of authorities who regularly censor postings, opinions were divided between support for Moscow, demands Russia be held accountable, accusations of untrustworthiness against the West and Ukraine, and calls for an impartial investigation.
“This is merely a play acted out by the Americans and Ukrainian Nazis in an attempt to divert public opinion, but people of the world with eyes and hearts won't ignore the facts of the U.S. and Ukraine researching bio weapons," read one posting signed “Understands the Cold War Better Than America."
The Russian Embassy in Beijing also made use of the platform to reject the accusations, while its Ukrainian counterpart drew attention to “Russian war crimes against civilians in Irpin," another town where atrocities allegedly occurred.
Prior to the Feb. 24 war, China had dismissed talk of a Russian invasion as “fake news" and U.S. fearmongering. Since then, it has claimed to be holding to an independent, and often contradictory, stance, asserting the sanctity of borders and national sovereignty while refusing to condemn Russian aggression or even use the words “war" and “invasion," in apparent deference to Moscow.
The Global Times, a nationalistic tabloid published by the Communist Party mouthpiece People's Daily, sought to balance the competing messages with an editorial Wednesday headlined “'Bucha Incident' not to be used as pretext for inflaming situation."
“As long as Russia and Ukraine cannot achieve a cease-fire, humanitarian tragedies will not end," the paper said.
“However, it is regrettable that after the exposure of the ‘Bucha incident,' the U.S., the initiator of the Ukraine crisis, has not shown any signs of urging peace and promoting talks, but is ready to exacerbate the Russia-Ukraine tensions and create obstacles to the peace talks between the two sides," it said. |
https://www.newsmax.com/world/globaltalk/russia-ukraine-war-china/2022/04/06/id/1064519/ | BEIJING (AP) — China on Wednesday said images of civilian deaths in the Ukrainian town of Bucha are “deeply disturbing” but that no blame should be apportioned until all facts are known.
Emerging evidence of what appeared to be widespread civilian massacres in the wake of Russian withdrawals from the Kyiv areas may complicate Beijing’s attempts to guide public opinion over the conflict, in which China has refused to criticize Moscow.
China supports all initiatives and measures “conducive to alleviating the humanitarian crisis” in the country, and is “ready to continue to work together with the international community to prevent any harm to civilians,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian told reporters at a daily briefing.
“The truth and the cause of the incident must be verified," Zhao said. “All parties should exercise restraint and avoid unfounded accusations before a conclusion of the investigation is drawn."
Zhao's remarks echo those of China's ambassador to the United Nations, Zhang Jun, who earlier called for an investigation, also describing the reports and images of civilian deaths in Bucha as “deeply disturbing."
“The relevant circumstances and specific causes of the incident should be verified and established," Zhang said in remarks to the Security Council on Tuesday, adding that, “before the full picture is clear, all sides should exercise restraint and avoid unfounded accusations."
China has called for talks while refusing to criticize Russia. It opposes economic sanctions on Moscow and blames Washington and NATO for provoking the war and fueling the conflict by sending arms to Ukraine.
The entirely ruling Communist Party-controlled media have largely stuck to a pro-Moscow narrative, including repeating Russian disinformation and unfounded conspiracy theories about issues such as alleged American-Ukrainian bioweapons production.
Zhao repeated China's objections to sanctions, while accusing the U.S. of having manipulated the situation to “profit from the chaos and make a lot of money."
“History and reality have proven that sanctions do not bring peace and security, but only bring lose-lose or multiple losses, adding to the already difficult world economy and impacting the existing world economic system," Zhao said.
The hashtag “China expresses Bucha death incident must be thoroughly investigated" was a trending topic on Weibo, the Chinese version of Twitter, with nearly 30 million views and more than 500 discussions by afternoon Wednesday
Despite the pro-Russian stance of authorities who regularly censor postings, opinions were divided between support for Moscow, demands Russia be held accountable, accusations of untrustworthiness against the West and Ukraine, and calls for an impartial investigation.
“This is merely a play acted out by the Americans and Ukrainian Nazis in an attempt to divert public opinion, but people of the world with eyes and hearts won't ignore the facts of the U.S. and Ukraine researching bio weapons," read one posting signed “Understands the Cold War Better Than America."
The Russian Embassy in Beijing also made use of the platform to reject the accusations, while its Ukrainian counterpart drew attention to “Russian war crimes against civilians in Irpin," another town where atrocities allegedly occurred.
Prior to the Feb. 24 war, China had dismissed talk of a Russian invasion as “fake news" and U.S. fearmongering. Since then, it has claimed to be holding to an independent, and often contradictory, stance, asserting the sanctity of borders and national sovereignty while refusing to condemn Russian aggression or even use the words “war" and “invasion," in apparent deference to Moscow.
The Global Times, a nationalistic tabloid published by the Communist Party mouthpiece People's Daily, sought to balance the competing messages with an editorial Wednesday headlined “'Bucha Incident' not to be used as pretext for inflaming situation."
“As long as Russia and Ukraine cannot achieve a cease-fire, humanitarian tragedies will not end," the paper said.
“However, it is regrettable that after the exposure of the ‘Bucha incident,' the U.S., the initiator of the Ukraine crisis, has not shown any signs of urging peace and promoting talks, but is ready to exacerbate the Russia-Ukraine tensions and create obstacles to the peace talks between the two sides," it said.
© Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. | 2 | 787 | 0 | https://www.sfchronicle.com/news/article/China-calls-for-probe-into-Bucha-killings-17060679.php | 2022-04-06 10:42:08+00:00 | BEIJING (AP) — China on Wednesday said images of civilian deaths in the Ukrainian town of Bucha are “deeply disturbing” but that no blame should be apportioned until all facts are known.
Emerging evidence of what appeared to be widespread civilian massacres in the wake of Russian withdrawals from the Kyiv areas may complicate Beijing’s attempts to guide public opinion over the conflict, in which China has refused to criticize Moscow.
China supports all initiatives and measures “conducive to alleviating the humanitarian crisis” in the country, and is “ready to continue to work together with the international community to prevent any harm to civilians,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian told reporters at a daily briefing.
“The truth and the cause of the incident must be verified," Zhao said. “All parties should exercise restraint and avoid unfounded accusations before a conclusion of the investigation is drawn."
Zhao's remarks echo those of China's ambassador to the United Nations, Zhang Jun, who earlier called for an investigation, also describing the reports and images of civilian deaths in Bucha as “deeply disturbing."
“The relevant circumstances and specific causes of the incident should be verified and established," Zhang said in remarks to the Security Council on Tuesday, adding that, “before the full picture is clear, all sides should exercise restraint and avoid unfounded accusations."
China has called for talks while refusing to criticize Russia. It opposes economic sanctions on Moscow and blames Washington and NATO for provoking the war and fueling the conflict by sending arms to Ukraine.
The entirely ruling Communist Party-controlled media have largely stuck to a pro-Moscow narrative, including repeating Russian disinformation and unfounded conspiracy theories about issues such as alleged American-Ukrainian bioweapons production.
Zhao repeated China's objections to sanctions, while accusing the U.S. of having manipulated the situation to “profit from the chaos and make a lot of money."
“History and reality have proven that sanctions do not bring peace and security, but only bring lose-lose or multiple losses, adding to the already difficult world economy and impacting the existing world economic system," Zhao said.
The hashtag “China expresses Bucha death incident must be thoroughly investigated" was a trending topic on Weibo, the Chinese version of Twitter, with nearly 30 million views and more than 500 discussions by afternoon Wednesday
Despite the pro-Russian stance of authorities who regularly censor postings, opinions were divided between support for Moscow, demands Russia be held accountable, accusations of untrustworthiness against the West and Ukraine, and calls for an impartial investigation.
“This is merely a play acted out by the Americans and Ukrainian Nazis in an attempt to divert public opinion, but people of the world with eyes and hearts won't ignore the facts of the U.S. and Ukraine researching bio weapons," read one posting signed “Understands the Cold War Better Than America."
The Russian Embassy in Beijing also made use of the platform to reject the accusations, while its Ukrainian counterpart drew attention to “Russian war crimes against civilians in Irpin," another town where atrocities allegedly occurred.
Prior to the Feb. 24 war, China had dismissed talk of a Russian invasion as “fake news" and U.S. fearmongering. Since then, it has claimed to be holding to an independent, and often contradictory, stance, asserting the sanctity of borders and national sovereignty while refusing to condemn Russian aggression or even use the words “war" and “invasion," in apparent deference to Moscow.
The Global Times, a nationalistic tabloid published by the Communist Party mouthpiece People's Daily, sought to balance the competing messages with an editorial Wednesday headlined “'Bucha Incident' not to be used as pretext for inflaming situation."
“As long as Russia and Ukraine cannot achieve a cease-fire, humanitarian tragedies will not end," the paper said.
“However, it is regrettable that after the exposure of the ‘Bucha incident,' the U.S., the initiator of the Ukraine crisis, has not shown any signs of urging peace and promoting talks, but is ready to exacerbate the Russia-Ukraine tensions and create obstacles to the peace talks between the two sides," it said. |
https://www.expressnews.com/news/article/W-Va-gov-repeatedly-late-paying-for-mine-safety-17060833.php | CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice has consistently missed deadlines in recent months to pay the U.S. government the millions of dollars he owes in penalties for unsafe working conditions at his coal mines, according to federal court documents.
The Republican governor — who owns dozens of companies and has been called the most wealthy man in all of West Virginia — was ordered to pay $5.1 million by a federal judge in April 2020.
That was after the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration brought a lawsuit against 23 of his companies, saying he failed to pay fees associated with hundreds of mine safety penalties between 2014 and 2019.
Since at least December, Justice has been late on payments, according to documents filed in the U.S. District Court in the Western District of Virginia. Payments have been made only after reminders and notices filed in court by the U.S. government.
U.S. Attorney Christopher Kavanaugh said Justice's companies "have provided no reason for their noncompliance and have not complied despite the United States’ numerous inquiries,” according to a March 31 motion filed to compel Justice to make his required payment.
Congress relies on the enforcement of financial penalties to incentivize coal operators to comply with mandatory health and safety standards outlined in the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act, Kavanaugh said.
“If Defendants are allowed to ignore their obligations, it undermines the authority of this Court and removes the incentive of these defendants — and other mining companies — from complying with MSHA’s health and safety standards designed to protect the nation’s miners,” he said.
The April 2020 order states that Justice make an initial payment of around $212,909 by April 15, 2020, followed by monthly payments of a little more than $102,400 until his debt is paid off.
Payments are due on the first of the month. In court documents filed March 31, U.S. attorneys said Justice's December payment, due Dec. 1, 2021, arrived Jan. 19, after the United States filed a “notice of non-compliance.” The January payment did not arrive until Jan. 28.
The February payment was made March 14, after several reminders. The U.S. filed another motion to compel Justice to pay March's payment. Justice's lawyer, Aaron Balla Houchens, said in court documents filed Monday that it had been paid.
Justice did not respond to a request from The Associated Press for comment. | 0 | 31,022 | 0 | https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/article/W-Va-gov-repeatedly-late-paying-for-mine-safety-17060833.php | 2022-04-06 13:03:00+00:00 | CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice has consistently missed deadlines in recent months to pay the U.S. government the millions of dollars he owes in penalties for unsafe working conditions at his coal mines, according to federal court documents.
The Republican governor — who owns dozens of companies and has been called the most wealthy man in all of West Virginia — was ordered to pay $5.1 million by a federal judge in April 2020.
That was after the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration brought a lawsuit against 23 of his companies, saying he failed to pay fees associated with hundreds of mine safety penalties between 2014 and 2019.
Since at least December, Justice has been late on payments, according to documents filed in the U.S. District Court in the Western District of Virginia. Payments have been made only after reminders and notices filed in court by the U.S. government.
U.S. Attorney Christopher Kavanaugh said Justice's companies "have provided no reason for their noncompliance and have not complied despite the United States’ numerous inquiries,” according to a March 31 motion filed to compel Justice to make his required payment.
Congress relies on the enforcement of financial penalties to incentivize coal operators to comply with mandatory health and safety standards outlined in the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act, Kavanaugh said.
“If Defendants are allowed to ignore their obligations, it undermines the authority of this Court and removes the incentive of these defendants — and other mining companies — from complying with MSHA’s health and safety standards designed to protect the nation’s miners,” he said.
The April 2020 order states that Justice make an initial payment of around $212,909 by April 15, 2020, followed by monthly payments of a little more than $102,400 until his debt is paid off.
Payments are due on the first of the month. In court documents filed March 31, U.S. attorneys said Justice's December payment, due Dec. 1, 2021, arrived Jan. 19, after the United States filed a “notice of non-compliance.” The January payment did not arrive until Jan. 28.
The February payment was made March 14, after several reminders. The U.S. filed another motion to compel Justice to pay March's payment. Justice's lawyer, Aaron Balla Houchens, said in court documents filed Monday that it had been paid.
Justice did not respond to a request from The Associated Press for comment. |
https://www.expressnews.com/news/article/W-Va-gov-repeatedly-late-paying-for-mine-safety-17060833.php | CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice has consistently missed deadlines in recent months to pay the U.S. government the millions of dollars he owes in penalties for unsafe working conditions at his coal mines, according to federal court documents.
The Republican governor — who owns dozens of companies and has been called the most wealthy man in all of West Virginia — was ordered to pay $5.1 million by a federal judge in April 2020.
That was after the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration brought a lawsuit against 23 of his companies, saying he failed to pay fees associated with hundreds of mine safety penalties between 2014 and 2019.
Since at least December, Justice has been late on payments, according to documents filed in the U.S. District Court in the Western District of Virginia. Payments have been made only after reminders and notices filed in court by the U.S. government.
U.S. Attorney Christopher Kavanaugh said Justice's companies "have provided no reason for their noncompliance and have not complied despite the United States’ numerous inquiries,” according to a March 31 motion filed to compel Justice to make his required payment.
Congress relies on the enforcement of financial penalties to incentivize coal operators to comply with mandatory health and safety standards outlined in the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act, Kavanaugh said.
“If Defendants are allowed to ignore their obligations, it undermines the authority of this Court and removes the incentive of these defendants — and other mining companies — from complying with MSHA’s health and safety standards designed to protect the nation’s miners,” he said.
The April 2020 order states that Justice make an initial payment of around $212,909 by April 15, 2020, followed by monthly payments of a little more than $102,400 until his debt is paid off.
Payments are due on the first of the month. In court documents filed March 31, U.S. attorneys said Justice's December payment, due Dec. 1, 2021, arrived Jan. 19, after the United States filed a “notice of non-compliance.” The January payment did not arrive until Jan. 28.
The February payment was made March 14, after several reminders. The U.S. filed another motion to compel Justice to pay March's payment. Justice's lawyer, Aaron Balla Houchens, said in court documents filed Monday that it had been paid.
Justice did not respond to a request from The Associated Press for comment. | 1 | 31,706 | 0 | https://www.nhregister.com/news/article/W-Va-gov-repeatedly-late-paying-for-mine-safety-17060833.php | 2022-04-06 13:05:56+00:00 | CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice has consistently missed deadlines in recent months to pay the U.S. government the millions of dollars he owes in penalties for unsafe working conditions at his coal mines, according to federal court documents.
The Republican governor — who owns dozens of companies and has been called the most wealthy man in all of West Virginia — was ordered to pay $5.1 million by a federal judge in April 2020.
That was after the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration brought a lawsuit against 23 of his companies, saying he failed to pay fees associated with hundreds of mine safety penalties between 2014 and 2019.
Since at least December, Justice has been late on payments, according to documents filed in the U.S. District Court in the Western District of Virginia. Payments have been made only after reminders and notices filed in court by the U.S. government.
U.S. Attorney Christopher Kavanaugh said Justice's companies "have provided no reason for their noncompliance and have not complied despite the United States’ numerous inquiries,” according to a March 31 motion filed to compel Justice to make his required payment.
Congress relies on the enforcement of financial penalties to incentivize coal operators to comply with mandatory health and safety standards outlined in the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act, Kavanaugh said.
“If Defendants are allowed to ignore their obligations, it undermines the authority of this Court and removes the incentive of these defendants — and other mining companies — from complying with MSHA’s health and safety standards designed to protect the nation’s miners,” he said.
The April 2020 order states that Justice make an initial payment of around $212,909 by April 15, 2020, followed by monthly payments of a little more than $102,400 until his debt is paid off.
Payments are due on the first of the month. In court documents filed March 31, U.S. attorneys said Justice's December payment, due Dec. 1, 2021, arrived Jan. 19, after the United States filed a “notice of non-compliance.” The January payment did not arrive until Jan. 28.
The February payment was made March 14, after several reminders. The U.S. filed another motion to compel Justice to pay March's payment. Justice's lawyer, Aaron Balla Houchens, said in court documents filed Monday that it had been paid.
Justice did not respond to a request from The Associated Press for comment. |
https://www.expressnews.com/news/article/W-Va-gov-repeatedly-late-paying-for-mine-safety-17060833.php | CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice has consistently missed deadlines in recent months to pay the U.S. government the millions of dollars he owes in penalties for unsafe working conditions at his coal mines, according to federal court documents.
The Republican governor — who owns dozens of companies and has been called the most wealthy man in all of West Virginia — was ordered to pay $5.1 million by a federal judge in April 2020.
That was after the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration brought a lawsuit against 23 of his companies, saying he failed to pay fees associated with hundreds of mine safety penalties between 2014 and 2019.
Since at least December, Justice has been late on payments, according to documents filed in the U.S. District Court in the Western District of Virginia. Payments have been made only after reminders and notices filed in court by the U.S. government.
U.S. Attorney Christopher Kavanaugh said Justice's companies "have provided no reason for their noncompliance and have not complied despite the United States’ numerous inquiries,” according to a March 31 motion filed to compel Justice to make his required payment.
Congress relies on the enforcement of financial penalties to incentivize coal operators to comply with mandatory health and safety standards outlined in the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act, Kavanaugh said.
“If Defendants are allowed to ignore their obligations, it undermines the authority of this Court and removes the incentive of these defendants — and other mining companies — from complying with MSHA’s health and safety standards designed to protect the nation’s miners,” he said.
The April 2020 order states that Justice make an initial payment of around $212,909 by April 15, 2020, followed by monthly payments of a little more than $102,400 until his debt is paid off.
Payments are due on the first of the month. In court documents filed March 31, U.S. attorneys said Justice's December payment, due Dec. 1, 2021, arrived Jan. 19, after the United States filed a “notice of non-compliance.” The January payment did not arrive until Jan. 28.
The February payment was made March 14, after several reminders. The U.S. filed another motion to compel Justice to pay March's payment. Justice's lawyer, Aaron Balla Houchens, said in court documents filed Monday that it had been paid.
Justice did not respond to a request from The Associated Press for comment. | 2 | 31,716 | 0 | https://www.ncadvertiser.com/news/article/W-Va-gov-repeatedly-late-paying-for-mine-safety-17060833.php | 2022-04-06 13:05:57+00:00 | CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice has consistently missed deadlines in recent months to pay the U.S. government the millions of dollars he owes in penalties for unsafe working conditions at his coal mines, according to federal court documents.
The Republican governor — who owns dozens of companies and has been called the most wealthy man in all of West Virginia — was ordered to pay $5.1 million by a federal judge in April 2020.
That was after the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration brought a lawsuit against 23 of his companies, saying he failed to pay fees associated with hundreds of mine safety penalties between 2014 and 2019.
Since at least December, Justice has been late on payments, according to documents filed in the U.S. District Court in the Western District of Virginia. Payments have been made only after reminders and notices filed in court by the U.S. government.
U.S. Attorney Christopher Kavanaugh said Justice's companies "have provided no reason for their noncompliance and have not complied despite the United States’ numerous inquiries,” according to a March 31 motion filed to compel Justice to make his required payment.
Congress relies on the enforcement of financial penalties to incentivize coal operators to comply with mandatory health and safety standards outlined in the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act, Kavanaugh said.
“If Defendants are allowed to ignore their obligations, it undermines the authority of this Court and removes the incentive of these defendants — and other mining companies — from complying with MSHA’s health and safety standards designed to protect the nation’s miners,” he said.
The April 2020 order states that Justice make an initial payment of around $212,909 by April 15, 2020, followed by monthly payments of a little more than $102,400 until his debt is paid off.
Payments are due on the first of the month. In court documents filed March 31, U.S. attorneys said Justice's December payment, due Dec. 1, 2021, arrived Jan. 19, after the United States filed a “notice of non-compliance.” The January payment did not arrive until Jan. 28.
The February payment was made March 14, after several reminders. The U.S. filed another motion to compel Justice to pay March's payment. Justice's lawyer, Aaron Balla Houchens, said in court documents filed Monday that it had been paid.
Justice did not respond to a request from The Associated Press for comment. |
https://phl17.com/reviews/br/health-wellness-br/ears-nose-throat-br/best-allergy-eye-drops-for-kids/ | Which allergy eye drops for kids are best?
Allergies are one of the smallest annoyances that can have a big impact on your happiness. One of the worst places affected is the eyes. The itchiness, the swelling, the red-eye and eye-watering are horrible for an adult but even worse for children.
Help them cut down their misery with Similasan Kids Allergy Eye Relief Drops. It’s specially formulated just for kids, so they can quickly go back to being happy and comfortable again.
What to know before you buy allergy eye drops for kids
Types of allergy eye drops for kids
There are four types of allergy eye drops for kids.
- Antihistamine drops are the most common. They can treat up to moderate symptoms by blocking the body’s ability to produce histamine in response to allergens. They work fast but don’t last and come in prescription and over-the-counter strengths.
- Anti-inflammatory drops soothe nerve endings in the eye. Initial dosing causes a stinging sensation that is unpopular with children. They can take as long as an hour for relief to set in, but they last as long as 12 hours. They can be OTC or prescription strength.
- Mast cell drops are unusual for kids as they’re meant to relieve severe and long-lasting symptoms. They’re available OTC, but you should check with your pediatrician before using them.
- Steroidal drops are rarely offered to children. They’re prescription-only and have potentially severe side effects. They’re only meant for short-term use.
Covered symptoms
Most allergy eye drops, for any age, only cover one or two symptoms rather than all of them. The most common symptoms covered are either itchiness and wateriness or redness. Some formulas are listed as multi-symptom. While they do cover more symptoms, they may not cover all of them with the same efficacy.
Coverage range
Children hate eye drops enough as it is, so you’ll want to prioritize looking for a formula that’s listed as longing for at least six to 12 hours. However, short-term drops may be effective enough for mild cases.
What to look for in quality allergy eye drops for kids
Hydration
If your child’s chief complaint is dryness, look for drops that have hydrating and moisturizing ingredients.
Sensation
It deserves to be said again: children hate eye drops. Some drops have an immediate stinging sensation when applied. You should avoid these drops at all costs if you want to be able to use them more than once in your child’s eyes.
How much you can expect to spend on allergy eye drops for kids
Allergy eye drops for kids are usually a little pricier despite being mostly the same as a standard allergy eye drop. The cheapest options rarely cost less than $10, while others can cost as much as $20-plus.
Allergy eye drops for kids FAQ
Is there a minimum age that kids have to be for safe allergy eye drop usage?
A. Yes. Any given product will have a different age limit, but most are safe for children at least 3 years old. Some rare formulas are safe for children a year younger. If you have a child younger than two or three and think they may need eye allergy relief, you’ll need to visit your pediatrician for a specialized prescription.
How long will a bottle of allergy eye drops for kids last?
A. Allergy eye drops for kids have two expiration dates: a sealed date and an opened date. Sealed dates can go for years before the eye drops expire, but once you open the box and break the dropper’s seal, you only have a few months at best. To extend your open dropper’s lifespan, avoid touching the dropper’s tip, and keep the lid tightly closed when not in use. No matter what, you should toss open eye drops after three months to be safe.
What are the best allergy eye drops for kids to buy?
Top allergy eye drops for kids
Similasan Kids Allergy Eye Relief Drops
What you need to know: This is affordably priced and effective.
What you’ll love: These drops are suitable for kids aged 2 and older, which is a full year younger than most other drops. It covers all the common eye-related allergy symptoms while using only natural ingredients instead of chemicals. Relief takes effect within minutes of application.
What you should consider: These drops expire 30 days after they’ve been opened. Some consumers reported severe allergic reactions to this product. It has no moisturizing properties.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top allergy eye drops for kids for the money
Systane Zaditor Antihistamine Eye Drops, 2 Count
What you need to know: This combo pack covers kids and adults.
What you’ll love: These drops trigger symptom relief quickly and the relief lasts for up to 12 hours. Unlike most allergy drops, these require only a single drop per eye to be effective and the application doesn’t sting. These are suitable for children 3 and older.
What you should consider: Some consumers’ relief length fell well short of the 12-hour claim. They mainly target itchy eyes rather than full symptom relief.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
Bausch+Lomb Alaway Children’s Antihistamine Eye Drops
What you need to know: This is another well-priced and effective eye drop.
What you’ll love: These prescription-strength OTC drops target itchy and watery eyes and are suitable for children 3 and older. Relief takes effect within 5 minutes and can last as long as 12 hours. It targets allergy sources such as pollen, ragweed and animal hair.
What you should consider: It’s a little on the pricey side and only contains .17 fluid ounces of product. If these drops get into the sinus cavity they can cause nosebleeds.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Jordan C. Woika writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | 0 | 88,926 | 0 | https://www.wvnstv.com/reviews/br/health-wellness-br/ears-nose-throat-br/best-allergy-eye-drops-for-kids/ | 2022-04-05 18:09:24+00:00 | Which allergy eye drops for kids are best?
Allergies are one of the smallest annoyances that can have a big impact on your happiness. One of the worst places affected is the eyes. The itchiness, the swelling, the red-eye and eye-watering are horrible for an adult but even worse for children.
Help them cut down their misery with Similasan Kids Allergy Eye Relief Drops. It’s specially formulated just for kids, so they can quickly go back to being happy and comfortable again.
What to know before you buy allergy eye drops for kids
Types of allergy eye drops for kids
There are four types of allergy eye drops for kids.
- Antihistamine drops are the most common. They can treat up to moderate symptoms by blocking the body’s ability to produce histamine in response to allergens. They work fast but don’t last and come in prescription and over-the-counter strengths.
- Anti-inflammatory drops soothe nerve endings in the eye. Initial dosing causes a stinging sensation that is unpopular with children. They can take as long as an hour for relief to set in, but they last as long as 12 hours. They can be OTC or prescription strength.
- Mast cell drops are unusual for kids as they’re meant to relieve severe and long-lasting symptoms. They’re available OTC, but you should check with your pediatrician before using them.
- Steroidal drops are rarely offered to children. They’re prescription-only and have potentially severe side effects. They’re only meant for short-term use.
Covered symptoms
Most allergy eye drops, for any age, only cover one or two symptoms rather than all of them. The most common symptoms covered are either itchiness and wateriness or redness. Some formulas are listed as multi-symptom. While they do cover more symptoms, they may not cover all of them with the same efficacy.
Coverage range
Children hate eye drops enough as it is, so you’ll want to prioritize looking for a formula that’s listed as longing for at least six to 12 hours. However, short-term drops may be effective enough for mild cases.
What to look for in quality allergy eye drops for kids
Hydration
If your child’s chief complaint is dryness, look for drops that have hydrating and moisturizing ingredients.
Sensation
It deserves to be said again: children hate eye drops. Some drops have an immediate stinging sensation when applied. You should avoid these drops at all costs if you want to be able to use them more than once in your child’s eyes.
How much you can expect to spend on allergy eye drops for kids
Allergy eye drops for kids are usually a little pricier despite being mostly the same as a standard allergy eye drop. The cheapest options rarely cost less than $10, while others can cost as much as $20-plus.
Allergy eye drops for kids FAQ
Is there a minimum age that kids have to be for safe allergy eye drop usage?
A. Yes. Any given product will have a different age limit, but most are safe for children at least 3 years old. Some rare formulas are safe for children a year younger. If you have a child younger than two or three and think they may need eye allergy relief, you’ll need to visit your pediatrician for a specialized prescription.
How long will a bottle of allergy eye drops for kids last?
A. Allergy eye drops for kids have two expiration dates: a sealed date and an opened date. Sealed dates can go for years before the eye drops expire, but once you open the box and break the dropper’s seal, you only have a few months at best. To extend your open dropper’s lifespan, avoid touching the dropper’s tip, and keep the lid tightly closed when not in use. No matter what, you should toss open eye drops after three months to be safe.
What are the best allergy eye drops for kids to buy?
Top allergy eye drops for kids
Similasan Kids Allergy Eye Relief Drops
What you need to know: This is affordably priced and effective.
What you’ll love: These drops are suitable for kids aged 2 and older, which is a full year younger than most other drops. It covers all the common eye-related allergy symptoms while using only natural ingredients instead of chemicals. Relief takes effect within minutes of application.
What you should consider: These drops expire 30 days after they’ve been opened. Some consumers reported severe allergic reactions to this product. It has no moisturizing properties.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top allergy eye drops for kids for the money
Systane Zaditor Antihistamine Eye Drops, 2 Count
What you need to know: This combo pack covers kids and adults.
What you’ll love: These drops trigger symptom relief quickly and the relief lasts for up to 12 hours. Unlike most allergy drops, these require only a single drop per eye to be effective and the application doesn’t sting. These are suitable for children 3 and older.
What you should consider: Some consumers’ relief length fell well short of the 12-hour claim. They mainly target itchy eyes rather than full symptom relief.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
Bausch+Lomb Alaway Children’s Antihistamine Eye Drops
What you need to know: This is another well-priced and effective eye drop.
What you’ll love: These prescription-strength OTC drops target itchy and watery eyes and are suitable for children 3 and older. Relief takes effect within 5 minutes and can last as long as 12 hours. It targets allergy sources such as pollen, ragweed and animal hair.
What you should consider: It’s a little on the pricey side and only contains .17 fluid ounces of product. If these drops get into the sinus cavity they can cause nosebleeds.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals.
Jordan C. Woika writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. |
https://phl17.com/reviews/br/health-wellness-br/ears-nose-throat-br/best-allergy-eye-drops-for-kids/ | Which allergy eye drops for kids are best?
Allergies are one of the smallest annoyances that can have a big impact on your happiness. One of the worst places affected is the eyes. The itchiness, the swelling, the red-eye and eye-watering are horrible for an adult but even worse for children.
Help them cut down their misery with Similasan Kids Allergy Eye Relief Drops. It’s specially formulated just for kids, so they can quickly go back to being happy and comfortable again.
What to know before you buy allergy eye drops for kids
Types of allergy eye drops for kids
There are four types of allergy eye drops for kids.
- Antihistamine drops are the most common. They can treat up to moderate symptoms by blocking the body’s ability to produce histamine in response to allergens. They work fast but don’t last and come in prescription and over-the-counter strengths.
- Anti-inflammatory drops soothe nerve endings in the eye. Initial dosing causes a stinging sensation that is unpopular with children. They can take as long as an hour for relief to set in, but they last as long as 12 hours. They can be OTC or prescription strength.
- Mast cell drops are unusual for kids as they’re meant to relieve severe and long-lasting symptoms. They’re available OTC, but you should check with your pediatrician before using them.
- Steroidal drops are rarely offered to children. They’re prescription-only and have potentially severe side effects. They’re only meant for short-term use.
Covered symptoms
Most allergy eye drops, for any age, only cover one or two symptoms rather than all of them. The most common symptoms covered are either itchiness and wateriness or redness. Some formulas are listed as multi-symptom. While they do cover more symptoms, they may not cover all of them with the same efficacy.
Coverage range
Children hate eye drops enough as it is, so you’ll want to prioritize looking for a formula that’s listed as longing for at least six to 12 hours. However, short-term drops may be effective enough for mild cases.
What to look for in quality allergy eye drops for kids
Hydration
If your child’s chief complaint is dryness, look for drops that have hydrating and moisturizing ingredients.
Sensation
It deserves to be said again: children hate eye drops. Some drops have an immediate stinging sensation when applied. You should avoid these drops at all costs if you want to be able to use them more than once in your child’s eyes.
How much you can expect to spend on allergy eye drops for kids
Allergy eye drops for kids are usually a little pricier despite being mostly the same as a standard allergy eye drop. The cheapest options rarely cost less than $10, while others can cost as much as $20-plus.
Allergy eye drops for kids FAQ
Is there a minimum age that kids have to be for safe allergy eye drop usage?
A. Yes. Any given product will have a different age limit, but most are safe for children at least 3 years old. Some rare formulas are safe for children a year younger. If you have a child younger than two or three and think they may need eye allergy relief, you’ll need to visit your pediatrician for a specialized prescription.
How long will a bottle of allergy eye drops for kids last?
A. Allergy eye drops for kids have two expiration dates: a sealed date and an opened date. Sealed dates can go for years before the eye drops expire, but once you open the box and break the dropper’s seal, you only have a few months at best. To extend your open dropper’s lifespan, avoid touching the dropper’s tip, and keep the lid tightly closed when not in use. No matter what, you should toss open eye drops after three months to be safe.
What are the best allergy eye drops for kids to buy?
Top allergy eye drops for kids
Similasan Kids Allergy Eye Relief Drops
What you need to know: This is affordably priced and effective.
What you’ll love: These drops are suitable for kids aged 2 and older, which is a full year younger than most other drops. It covers all the common eye-related allergy symptoms while using only natural ingredients instead of chemicals. Relief takes effect within minutes of application.
What you should consider: These drops expire 30 days after they’ve been opened. Some consumers reported severe allergic reactions to this product. It has no moisturizing properties.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top allergy eye drops for kids for the money
Systane Zaditor Antihistamine Eye Drops, 2 Count
What you need to know: This combo pack covers kids and adults.
What you’ll love: These drops trigger symptom relief quickly and the relief lasts for up to 12 hours. Unlike most allergy drops, these require only a single drop per eye to be effective and the application doesn’t sting. These are suitable for children 3 and older.
What you should consider: Some consumers’ relief length fell well short of the 12-hour claim. They mainly target itchy eyes rather than full symptom relief.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
Bausch+Lomb Alaway Children’s Antihistamine Eye Drops
What you need to know: This is another well-priced and effective eye drop.
What you’ll love: These prescription-strength OTC drops target itchy and watery eyes and are suitable for children 3 and older. Relief takes effect within 5 minutes and can last as long as 12 hours. It targets allergy sources such as pollen, ragweed and animal hair.
What you should consider: It’s a little on the pricey side and only contains .17 fluid ounces of product. If these drops get into the sinus cavity they can cause nosebleeds.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals.
Jordan C. Woika writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | 1 | 89,728 | 0 | https://www.cbs17.com/reviews/br/health-wellness-br/ears-nose-throat-br/best-allergy-eye-drops-for-kids/ | 2022-04-05 18:13:24+00:00 | Which allergy eye drops for kids are best?
Allergies are one of the smallest annoyances that can have a big impact on your happiness. One of the worst places affected is the eyes. The itchiness, the swelling, the red-eye and eye-watering are horrible for an adult but even worse for children.
Help them cut down their misery with Similasan Kids Allergy Eye Relief Drops. It’s specially formulated just for kids, so they can quickly go back to being happy and comfortable again.
What to know before you buy allergy eye drops for kids
Types of allergy eye drops for kids
There are four types of allergy eye drops for kids.
- Antihistamine drops are the most common. They can treat up to moderate symptoms by blocking the body’s ability to produce histamine in response to allergens. They work fast but don’t last and come in prescription and over-the-counter strengths.
- Anti-inflammatory drops soothe nerve endings in the eye. Initial dosing causes a stinging sensation that is unpopular with children. They can take as long as an hour for relief to set in, but they last as long as 12 hours. They can be OTC or prescription strength.
- Mast cell drops are unusual for kids as they’re meant to relieve severe and long-lasting symptoms. They’re available OTC, but you should check with your pediatrician before using them.
- Steroidal drops are rarely offered to children. They’re prescription-only and have potentially severe side effects. They’re only meant for short-term use.
Covered symptoms
Most allergy eye drops, for any age, only cover one or two symptoms rather than all of them. The most common symptoms covered are either itchiness and wateriness or redness. Some formulas are listed as multi-symptom. While they do cover more symptoms, they may not cover all of them with the same efficacy.
Coverage range
Children hate eye drops enough as it is, so you’ll want to prioritize looking for a formula that’s listed as longing for at least six to 12 hours. However, short-term drops may be effective enough for mild cases.
What to look for in quality allergy eye drops for kids
Hydration
If your child’s chief complaint is dryness, look for drops that have hydrating and moisturizing ingredients.
Sensation
It deserves to be said again: children hate eye drops. Some drops have an immediate stinging sensation when applied. You should avoid these drops at all costs if you want to be able to use them more than once in your child’s eyes.
How much you can expect to spend on allergy eye drops for kids
Allergy eye drops for kids are usually a little pricier despite being mostly the same as a standard allergy eye drop. The cheapest options rarely cost less than $10, while others can cost as much as $20-plus.
Allergy eye drops for kids FAQ
Is there a minimum age that kids have to be for safe allergy eye drop usage?
A. Yes. Any given product will have a different age limit, but most are safe for children at least 3 years old. Some rare formulas are safe for children a year younger. If you have a child younger than two or three and think they may need eye allergy relief, you’ll need to visit your pediatrician for a specialized prescription.
How long will a bottle of allergy eye drops for kids last?
A. Allergy eye drops for kids have two expiration dates: a sealed date and an opened date. Sealed dates can go for years before the eye drops expire, but once you open the box and break the dropper’s seal, you only have a few months at best. To extend your open dropper’s lifespan, avoid touching the dropper’s tip, and keep the lid tightly closed when not in use. No matter what, you should toss open eye drops after three months to be safe.
What are the best allergy eye drops for kids to buy?
Top allergy eye drops for kids
Similasan Kids Allergy Eye Relief Drops
What you need to know: This is affordably priced and effective.
What you’ll love: These drops are suitable for kids aged 2 and older, which is a full year younger than most other drops. It covers all the common eye-related allergy symptoms while using only natural ingredients instead of chemicals. Relief takes effect within minutes of application.
What you should consider: These drops expire 30 days after they’ve been opened. Some consumers reported severe allergic reactions to this product. It has no moisturizing properties.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top allergy eye drops for kids for the money
Systane Zaditor Antihistamine Eye Drops, 2 Count
What you need to know: This combo pack covers kids and adults.
What you’ll love: These drops trigger symptom relief quickly and the relief lasts for up to 12 hours. Unlike most allergy drops, these require only a single drop per eye to be effective and the application doesn’t sting. These are suitable for children 3 and older.
What you should consider: Some consumers’ relief length fell well short of the 12-hour claim. They mainly target itchy eyes rather than full symptom relief.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
Bausch+Lomb Alaway Children’s Antihistamine Eye Drops
What you need to know: This is another well-priced and effective eye drop.
What you’ll love: These prescription-strength OTC drops target itchy and watery eyes and are suitable for children 3 and older. Relief takes effect within 5 minutes and can last as long as 12 hours. It targets allergy sources such as pollen, ragweed and animal hair.
What you should consider: It’s a little on the pricey side and only contains .17 fluid ounces of product. If these drops get into the sinus cavity they can cause nosebleeds.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals.
Jordan C. Woika writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. |
https://phl17.com/reviews/br/health-wellness-br/ears-nose-throat-br/best-allergy-eye-drops-for-kids/ | Which allergy eye drops for kids are best?
Allergies are one of the smallest annoyances that can have a big impact on your happiness. One of the worst places affected is the eyes. The itchiness, the swelling, the red-eye and eye-watering are horrible for an adult but even worse for children.
Help them cut down their misery with Similasan Kids Allergy Eye Relief Drops. It’s specially formulated just for kids, so they can quickly go back to being happy and comfortable again.
What to know before you buy allergy eye drops for kids
Types of allergy eye drops for kids
There are four types of allergy eye drops for kids.
- Antihistamine drops are the most common. They can treat up to moderate symptoms by blocking the body’s ability to produce histamine in response to allergens. They work fast but don’t last and come in prescription and over-the-counter strengths.
- Anti-inflammatory drops soothe nerve endings in the eye. Initial dosing causes a stinging sensation that is unpopular with children. They can take as long as an hour for relief to set in, but they last as long as 12 hours. They can be OTC or prescription strength.
- Mast cell drops are unusual for kids as they’re meant to relieve severe and long-lasting symptoms. They’re available OTC, but you should check with your pediatrician before using them.
- Steroidal drops are rarely offered to children. They’re prescription-only and have potentially severe side effects. They’re only meant for short-term use.
Covered symptoms
Most allergy eye drops, for any age, only cover one or two symptoms rather than all of them. The most common symptoms covered are either itchiness and wateriness or redness. Some formulas are listed as multi-symptom. While they do cover more symptoms, they may not cover all of them with the same efficacy.
Coverage range
Children hate eye drops enough as it is, so you’ll want to prioritize looking for a formula that’s listed as longing for at least six to 12 hours. However, short-term drops may be effective enough for mild cases.
What to look for in quality allergy eye drops for kids
Hydration
If your child’s chief complaint is dryness, look for drops that have hydrating and moisturizing ingredients.
Sensation
It deserves to be said again: children hate eye drops. Some drops have an immediate stinging sensation when applied. You should avoid these drops at all costs if you want to be able to use them more than once in your child’s eyes.
How much you can expect to spend on allergy eye drops for kids
Allergy eye drops for kids are usually a little pricier despite being mostly the same as a standard allergy eye drop. The cheapest options rarely cost less than $10, while others can cost as much as $20-plus.
Allergy eye drops for kids FAQ
Is there a minimum age that kids have to be for safe allergy eye drop usage?
A. Yes. Any given product will have a different age limit, but most are safe for children at least 3 years old. Some rare formulas are safe for children a year younger. If you have a child younger than two or three and think they may need eye allergy relief, you’ll need to visit your pediatrician for a specialized prescription.
How long will a bottle of allergy eye drops for kids last?
A. Allergy eye drops for kids have two expiration dates: a sealed date and an opened date. Sealed dates can go for years before the eye drops expire, but once you open the box and break the dropper’s seal, you only have a few months at best. To extend your open dropper’s lifespan, avoid touching the dropper’s tip, and keep the lid tightly closed when not in use. No matter what, you should toss open eye drops after three months to be safe.
What are the best allergy eye drops for kids to buy?
Top allergy eye drops for kids
Similasan Kids Allergy Eye Relief Drops
What you need to know: This is affordably priced and effective.
What you’ll love: These drops are suitable for kids aged 2 and older, which is a full year younger than most other drops. It covers all the common eye-related allergy symptoms while using only natural ingredients instead of chemicals. Relief takes effect within minutes of application.
What you should consider: These drops expire 30 days after they’ve been opened. Some consumers reported severe allergic reactions to this product. It has no moisturizing properties.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top allergy eye drops for kids for the money
Systane Zaditor Antihistamine Eye Drops, 2 Count
What you need to know: This combo pack covers kids and adults.
What you’ll love: These drops trigger symptom relief quickly and the relief lasts for up to 12 hours. Unlike most allergy drops, these require only a single drop per eye to be effective and the application doesn’t sting. These are suitable for children 3 and older.
What you should consider: Some consumers’ relief length fell well short of the 12-hour claim. They mainly target itchy eyes rather than full symptom relief.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
Bausch+Lomb Alaway Children’s Antihistamine Eye Drops
What you need to know: This is another well-priced and effective eye drop.
What you’ll love: These prescription-strength OTC drops target itchy and watery eyes and are suitable for children 3 and older. Relief takes effect within 5 minutes and can last as long as 12 hours. It targets allergy sources such as pollen, ragweed and animal hair.
What you should consider: It’s a little on the pricey side and only contains .17 fluid ounces of product. If these drops get into the sinus cavity they can cause nosebleeds.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals.
Jordan C. Woika writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | 2 | 92,696 | 0 | https://www.abc4.com/reviews/br/health-wellness-br/ears-nose-throat-br/best-allergy-eye-drops-for-kids/ | 2022-04-05 18:22:52+00:00 | Which allergy eye drops for kids are best?
Allergies are one of the smallest annoyances that can have a big impact on your happiness. One of the worst places affected is the eyes. The itchiness, the swelling, the red-eye and eye-watering are horrible for an adult but even worse for children.
Help them cut down their misery with Similasan Kids Allergy Eye Relief Drops. It’s specially formulated just for kids, so they can quickly go back to being happy and comfortable again.
What to know before you buy allergy eye drops for kids
Types of allergy eye drops for kids
There are four types of allergy eye drops for kids.
- Antihistamine drops are the most common. They can treat up to moderate symptoms by blocking the body’s ability to produce histamine in response to allergens. They work fast but don’t last and come in prescription and over-the-counter strengths.
- Anti-inflammatory drops soothe nerve endings in the eye. Initial dosing causes a stinging sensation that is unpopular with children. They can take as long as an hour for relief to set in, but they last as long as 12 hours. They can be OTC or prescription strength.
- Mast cell drops are unusual for kids as they’re meant to relieve severe and long-lasting symptoms. They’re available OTC, but you should check with your pediatrician before using them.
- Steroidal drops are rarely offered to children. They’re prescription-only and have potentially severe side effects. They’re only meant for short-term use.
Covered symptoms
Most allergy eye drops, for any age, only cover one or two symptoms rather than all of them. The most common symptoms covered are either itchiness and wateriness or redness. Some formulas are listed as multi-symptom. While they do cover more symptoms, they may not cover all of them with the same efficacy.
Coverage range
Children hate eye drops enough as it is, so you’ll want to prioritize looking for a formula that’s listed as longing for at least six to 12 hours. However, short-term drops may be effective enough for mild cases.
What to look for in quality allergy eye drops for kids
Hydration
If your child’s chief complaint is dryness, look for drops that have hydrating and moisturizing ingredients.
Sensation
It deserves to be said again: children hate eye drops. Some drops have an immediate stinging sensation when applied. You should avoid these drops at all costs if you want to be able to use them more than once in your child’s eyes.
How much you can expect to spend on allergy eye drops for kids
Allergy eye drops for kids are usually a little pricier despite being mostly the same as a standard allergy eye drop. The cheapest options rarely cost less than $10, while others can cost as much as $20-plus.
Allergy eye drops for kids FAQ
Is there a minimum age that kids have to be for safe allergy eye drop usage?
A. Yes. Any given product will have a different age limit, but most are safe for children at least 3 years old. Some rare formulas are safe for children a year younger. If you have a child younger than two or three and think they may need eye allergy relief, you’ll need to visit your pediatrician for a specialized prescription.
How long will a bottle of allergy eye drops for kids last?
A. Allergy eye drops for kids have two expiration dates: a sealed date and an opened date. Sealed dates can go for years before the eye drops expire, but once you open the box and break the dropper’s seal, you only have a few months at best. To extend your open dropper’s lifespan, avoid touching the dropper’s tip, and keep the lid tightly closed when not in use. No matter what, you should toss open eye drops after three months to be safe.
What are the best allergy eye drops for kids to buy?
Top allergy eye drops for kids
Similasan Kids Allergy Eye Relief Drops
What you need to know: This is affordably priced and effective.
What you’ll love: These drops are suitable for kids aged 2 and older, which is a full year younger than most other drops. It covers all the common eye-related allergy symptoms while using only natural ingredients instead of chemicals. Relief takes effect within minutes of application.
What you should consider: These drops expire 30 days after they’ve been opened. Some consumers reported severe allergic reactions to this product. It has no moisturizing properties.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top allergy eye drops for kids for the money
Systane Zaditor Antihistamine Eye Drops, 2 Count
What you need to know: This combo pack covers kids and adults.
What you’ll love: These drops trigger symptom relief quickly and the relief lasts for up to 12 hours. Unlike most allergy drops, these require only a single drop per eye to be effective and the application doesn’t sting. These are suitable for children 3 and older.
What you should consider: Some consumers’ relief length fell well short of the 12-hour claim. They mainly target itchy eyes rather than full symptom relief.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
Bausch+Lomb Alaway Children’s Antihistamine Eye Drops
What you need to know: This is another well-priced and effective eye drop.
What you’ll love: These prescription-strength OTC drops target itchy and watery eyes and are suitable for children 3 and older. Relief takes effect within 5 minutes and can last as long as 12 hours. It targets allergy sources such as pollen, ragweed and animal hair.
What you should consider: It’s a little on the pricey side and only contains .17 fluid ounces of product. If these drops get into the sinus cavity they can cause nosebleeds.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals.
Jordan C. Woika writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. |
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Stories that affect your life across the U.S. and around the world. |
https://journalstar.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/city-hall-despite-female-officeholders-in-lincoln-omaha-few-women-run-nebraskas-cities/article_bb22eb4d-25c5-52c8-9853-a8ff970963ff.html | Margaret Reist is a recovering education reporter now writing about local and county government and the people who live in the city where she was born and raised.
Think the women elected to lead the state’s two largest cities are representative of women’s participation in Nebraska’s local politics?
Think again.
In a national ranking of women in the municipal legislative branch, Nebraska ranks second-to- last this year — just three-tenths of a percentage point ahead of Mississippi.
The Center of American Women and Politics at Rutgers University tracks how many women are part of the legislative branches of cities with populations of more than 10,000.
Nebraska has 16 such cities.
Of those, three have female mayors: Lincoln’s Leirion Gaylor Baird, Omaha’s Jean Stothert and Scottsbluff Mayor Jeanne McKerrigan. Both Gaylor Baird and Stothert were elected; McKerrigan, one of five city council members, was chosen by her fellow council members to serve as mayor.
As for city councils, female representatives remain in the minority, although just two towns — Norfolk and Beatrice — have all-male councils. In both Lincoln and Omaha, three of the seven council members are women — the largest percentage of the 16 cities behind only Scottsbluff (three of five).
Seven of those cities have just one female council member. In Hastings, three of the eight council members are women and in Grand Island, three of the 10 are women.
Gaylor Baird has hired women for some high-profile positions in the city, most notably Teresa Ewins, the first woman ever to lead the Lincoln Police Department, and Barb McIntyre, the newest human resources director.
Gaylor Baird's chief of staff is a woman, as are two of her four aides.
On a state level, the 11 women in the Nebraska Legislature comprise about 26% of the 49-member body, and one of those — Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks — is running for a U.S. House of Representatives seat, and another — Sen. Carol Blood — is running for governor.
That’s higher than the 20% represented at the municipal level. Nationally, 31.5% of city leaders are women.
According to the Center of American Women, Mississippi is the only state with less than 20% of female officeholders at the municipal level.
Nebraska is among 20 states in the 20%-29% range, including every contiguous Midwestern state from North Dakota to Texas, plus Iowa, Wyoming and Arkansas.
The highest percentages are in Hawaii (50%) and Alaska (48%), but there’s just one incorporated city of more than 10,000 in Hawaii and just two in Alaska. In the Midwest, Colorado is well-represented by women: 45% of the officeholders in its 60 cities of more than 10,000 are women.
If you are a Nebraskan who would like to see more women in office this might be disheartening, but look on the bright side: Last year, Nebraska ranked last.
Streamlining permits
The city is trying to make it easier to apply for one of the 77,000-some permits or licenses it issues in a year.
The City Council recently approved an agreement with GRM Information Management Services to create an online system that will manage a variety of permit and license applications through one system.
Last year, the city issued 77,727 permits and licenses, though that number also includes such things as pothole complaints. Those licenses and permits generated $17.6 million in city revenue.
The new system will manage permits and licenses for several departments: building and safety, health, Lincoln Transportation and Utilities, and city-county planning.
Now, those systems operate from different web sites. The idea, said Abby Eccher, project manager with information services, is to get them all under the same cyber-roof.
That means people will be able to apply for food handler permits, check restaurant health inspections, apply for business licenses or building permits all on the same system.
Contractors and others working on the same project will all be able to track progress and be notified of permit approvals, and contractors will also be able to see and manage all the jobs they’re working on, Eccher said.
It should also help homeowners doing a single project.
The system will be the place people can find information: What building permits or zoning change requests are happening at a particular address; the results of restaurant health inspections.
It will cost $2.6 million to build the system, and there will be a $360,000 annual license fee.
Eccher said more city and county services could be added in the future.
More city parkland
Consider this a nod to the residents who live near Trendwood Park in east Lincoln: two lots that run along A Street on the northwest edge of the park have now been dedicated as city parkland.
Last summer, the city cleaned up a stinky, muddy retention pond right next to those lots between Sycamore Drive and South 77th Street — on the north end of the park — that neighbors had been complaining about for years.
The city has owned the lots for some years, said Parks and Recreation Director Lynn Johnson, and has been maintaining them along with the rest of the park.
Having them designated as parkland means the city can't sell them to a developer to build on — something neighbors don't want.
The City Council also designated about 40 acres on the east side of Jensen Park as parkland. The city traded the land for about 30 acres of parkland on the southeast end of Jensen Park, near 91st Street and Yankee Hill Road.
The land to the east is better suited as parkland, Johnson said, and because it's flatter and doesn't have a drainage channel running through it, it will be easier to — one day — build baseball fields there.
Margaret Reist is a recovering education reporter now writing about local and county government and the people who live in the city where she was born and raised.
Neighbors hope dredging a retention pond on the north end of Trendwood Park in east Lincoln will get rid of the stench that rises from the pond each summer and into their backyards.
Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird said she's nominated Nebraska Department of Transportation Human Resources Director Barb McIntyre to be the next city and county human resources director.
The City Council recently approved an agreement with PenLink, a local company, to develop software for the new system, which will be owned by the city and county. | 0 | 13,429 | 0.604118 | https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2022/04/07/pennsylvania-women-underrepresented-municipal-politics | 2022-04-07 11:18:11+00:00 | Pennsylvania women underrepresented in local politics
Women make up less than one-third of Pennsylvania's municipal offices, placing the commonwealth among the lowest in the country for female representation in local government.
Driving the news: The Center for American Women and Politics recently looked at demographics of local offices, including city councils, boards of aldermen, city commissions, mayors and officials who perform mayoral functions.
- Numbers are based on cities and towns with populations over 10,000, per census data.
By the numbers: Women, who account for slightly more than half of Pennsylvania's population, make up 28.5% of municipal officeholders in the state. That's under the national average, which is around 31%.
Zoom in: In Philadelphia, women hold seven of the 16 filled council seats. One is vacant but will be filled through a special election.
- Of note: Philadelphia has never had a woman mayor.
The big picture: Men make up a higher percentage of municipal office positions in every state except Hawaii. Mississippi has the lowest percentage of women in office at 19.7%, and Hawaii has the highest at 50%.
Between the lines: This trend on the municipal level mirrors state politics. Women make up only a quarter of the Pennsylvania General Assembly.
- Dana Brown, executive director of the Pennsylvania Center for Women and Politics, cited a trend of "negative gatekeeping through lack of endorsement and lack of resources," which tends to impact women, people of color and young people.
Yes, but: There are strides that seem to indicate a more inclusive path.
- Pennsylvania is ranked 36th in the country for women in municipal offices, but that's five spots above where it was in 2021.
Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Philadelphia.
More Philadelphia stories
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https://journalstar.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/city-hall-despite-female-officeholders-in-lincoln-omaha-few-women-run-nebraskas-cities/article_bb22eb4d-25c5-52c8-9853-a8ff970963ff.html | Margaret Reist is a recovering education reporter now writing about local and county government and the people who live in the city where she was born and raised.
Think the women elected to lead the state’s two largest cities are representative of women’s participation in Nebraska’s local politics?
Think again.
In a national ranking of women in the municipal legislative branch, Nebraska ranks second-to- last this year — just three-tenths of a percentage point ahead of Mississippi.
The Center of American Women and Politics at Rutgers University tracks how many women are part of the legislative branches of cities with populations of more than 10,000.
Nebraska has 16 such cities.
Of those, three have female mayors: Lincoln’s Leirion Gaylor Baird, Omaha’s Jean Stothert and Scottsbluff Mayor Jeanne McKerrigan. Both Gaylor Baird and Stothert were elected; McKerrigan, one of five city council members, was chosen by her fellow council members to serve as mayor.
As for city councils, female representatives remain in the minority, although just two towns — Norfolk and Beatrice — have all-male councils. In both Lincoln and Omaha, three of the seven council members are women — the largest percentage of the 16 cities behind only Scottsbluff (three of five).
Seven of those cities have just one female council member. In Hastings, three of the eight council members are women and in Grand Island, three of the 10 are women.
Gaylor Baird has hired women for some high-profile positions in the city, most notably Teresa Ewins, the first woman ever to lead the Lincoln Police Department, and Barb McIntyre, the newest human resources director.
Gaylor Baird's chief of staff is a woman, as are two of her four aides.
On a state level, the 11 women in the Nebraska Legislature comprise about 26% of the 49-member body, and one of those — Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks — is running for a U.S. House of Representatives seat, and another — Sen. Carol Blood — is running for governor.
That’s higher than the 20% represented at the municipal level. Nationally, 31.5% of city leaders are women.
According to the Center of American Women, Mississippi is the only state with less than 20% of female officeholders at the municipal level.
Nebraska is among 20 states in the 20%-29% range, including every contiguous Midwestern state from North Dakota to Texas, plus Iowa, Wyoming and Arkansas.
The highest percentages are in Hawaii (50%) and Alaska (48%), but there’s just one incorporated city of more than 10,000 in Hawaii and just two in Alaska. In the Midwest, Colorado is well-represented by women: 45% of the officeholders in its 60 cities of more than 10,000 are women.
If you are a Nebraskan who would like to see more women in office this might be disheartening, but look on the bright side: Last year, Nebraska ranked last.
Streamlining permits
The city is trying to make it easier to apply for one of the 77,000-some permits or licenses it issues in a year.
The City Council recently approved an agreement with GRM Information Management Services to create an online system that will manage a variety of permit and license applications through one system.
Last year, the city issued 77,727 permits and licenses, though that number also includes such things as pothole complaints. Those licenses and permits generated $17.6 million in city revenue.
The new system will manage permits and licenses for several departments: building and safety, health, Lincoln Transportation and Utilities, and city-county planning.
Now, those systems operate from different web sites. The idea, said Abby Eccher, project manager with information services, is to get them all under the same cyber-roof.
That means people will be able to apply for food handler permits, check restaurant health inspections, apply for business licenses or building permits all on the same system.
Contractors and others working on the same project will all be able to track progress and be notified of permit approvals, and contractors will also be able to see and manage all the jobs they’re working on, Eccher said.
It should also help homeowners doing a single project.
The system will be the place people can find information: What building permits or zoning change requests are happening at a particular address; the results of restaurant health inspections.
It will cost $2.6 million to build the system, and there will be a $360,000 annual license fee.
Eccher said more city and county services could be added in the future.
More city parkland
Consider this a nod to the residents who live near Trendwood Park in east Lincoln: two lots that run along A Street on the northwest edge of the park have now been dedicated as city parkland.
Last summer, the city cleaned up a stinky, muddy retention pond right next to those lots between Sycamore Drive and South 77th Street — on the north end of the park — that neighbors had been complaining about for years.
The city has owned the lots for some years, said Parks and Recreation Director Lynn Johnson, and has been maintaining them along with the rest of the park.
Having them designated as parkland means the city can't sell them to a developer to build on — something neighbors don't want.
The City Council also designated about 40 acres on the east side of Jensen Park as parkland. The city traded the land for about 30 acres of parkland on the southeast end of Jensen Park, near 91st Street and Yankee Hill Road.
The land to the east is better suited as parkland, Johnson said, and because it's flatter and doesn't have a drainage channel running through it, it will be easier to — one day — build baseball fields there.
Margaret Reist is a recovering education reporter now writing about local and county government and the people who live in the city where she was born and raised.
Neighbors hope dredging a retention pond on the north end of Trendwood Park in east Lincoln will get rid of the stench that rises from the pond each summer and into their backyards.
Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird said she's nominated Nebraska Department of Transportation Human Resources Director Barb McIntyre to be the next city and county human resources director.
The City Council recently approved an agreement with PenLink, a local company, to develop software for the new system, which will be owned by the city and county. | 1 | 80,268 | 0.61123 | https://www.nbc4i.com/news/your-local-election-hq/old-boys-club-women-significantly-underrepresented-in-ohio-politics/ | 2022-04-27 11:57:30+00:00 | COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Mary Anne Christie climbed a steep hill to become the first woman of the Madeira City Council in 1975.
Just a year before her election to represent the Cincinnati suburb, Congress prohibited banks from refusing credit cards to women, and discriminating against pregnant women remained legal throughout the U.S., Christie said.
It wasn’t until the city’s mayor called her up, despite the staunch opposition from her husband, and pleaded that Christie, then 40, throw her hat into the ring, citing the council’s need for a woman to serve.
“I was the token female,” she said. “But somehow or other, I ended up leading everything.”
Christie, 87, gradually ascended the political ladder to become the mayor of Madeira, the first woman president of the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments, an administrative law judge, and more recently, vice-chairperson of the Ohio Republican Party.
While more doors have opened for female political candidates since Christie’s election, women continue to be outnumbered by men in positions of power.
Women make up 27% of city governments in Ohio where the population is greater than 10,000, placing the Buckeye State at the No. 40 position relative to other U.S. states when it comes to female representation in municipalities in 2022, according to a report from the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP).
Although Ohio ranks a bit higher at the No. 24 spot for female representation in state government in 2022, women only account for about 31% of elected officials in state office, the report found.
“If 52% of the voting population — based on census data — is women, then why not have at least 50% of our elected officials be women?” said Emily Schriver, CEO of The Matriots, a Columbus-based nonpartisan political action committee that supports women running for office.
When women aren’t at the table, Schriver said lawmakers and elected officials could overlook policy implications with adverse consequences for women. And it’s not just reproductive health or childcare issues that women should be a part of, she said.
She pointed to an example where a woman takes an interest in infrastructure issues, like the lack of sidewalks in a neighborhood that cause her to feel unsafe while walking her kids to the school bus. Or a woman-owned small business struggling to compete with a tech startup for commercial space.
“It runs the gamut,” Schriver said. “I just need to reframe my mind — every issue is a women’s issue.”
Assistant Minority Leader Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood) of the Ohio Senate said while the CAWP numbers are probably better than they were 25 or 30 years ago, politics continues to be a challenging place for women.
“It’s hard to raise money, and it’s still tough to break into the old boys’ club in a lot of ways,” said Antonio, who is the first woman elected to serve Ohio’s 23rd Senate district and the first LGBTQ member of both the House and Senate.
With limited networks, the ever-present gender wage gap, and a tendency to bear the burden of childcare and household responsibilities, women are hit hard by the financial expectations and time commitments required to run a campaign, Schriver said.
On a national level, female candidates running for the U.S. House raised about a 70% greater share of funds than their male counterparts from campaign donors who contributed $200 or less, a Brennan Center for Justice study found.
As large donors nearly quintupled their share of donations to federal candidates in 2020, the Brennan Center for Justice said the power of small donors “has plummeted.”
“Women tend to be less likely to self-fund their own campaign than men,” Schriver said. “Candidates, we know, have to go out in the community to find donors. Men might be able to reach into their pocketbooks for that money.”
And women of color – who represent 25% of the country’s population but only 4% of U.S. House candidates – are most acutely impacted by financial barriers, raising less on average than all other candidates and relying the most on small donations over the past four general elections, the study found.
Beyond the bank statements, Schriver said it’s also imperative to look at the ways in which redistricting efforts could impact women candidates in Ohio.
Of the current makeup of the Ohio Redistricting Commission — the seven-member group in a months-long battle with the Ohio Supreme Court over its state legislative map drawings — all but one are men.
With men dominating political positions in the Statehouse and the historical advantage of incumbents in elections, Ohio Democratic Party Chair Elizabeth Walters assigned blame to her Republican counterparts for rigging redistricting efforts to block women from running for office.
“That’s why Ohio Democrats are laser-focused on fighting for fair maps that accurately represent our state and that make our state government more reflective of the people we serve,” Walters said.
Betty Montgomery, who became the first female Ohio Attorney General in 1995, said although it takes years to chip away at cultural barriers blocking women from running for office — which begin as early as adolescence in the way girls are often taught to behave — she’s optimistic for the future of female leadership.
Groups like The Matriots, which provides material and financial support to female candidates it endorses, and the Jo Ann Davidson Ohio Leadership Institute, a training program for Republican female candidates, are making strides to inspire women and equip them with the tools to run a successful campaign, she said.
“You’ve got to step out of the box you’ve put yourself in, and you’ve got to step out of the box that other puts you in,” Montgomery said. “You’ve got to be willing to roll the dice on yourself.” |
https://journalstar.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/city-hall-despite-female-officeholders-in-lincoln-omaha-few-women-run-nebraskas-cities/article_bb22eb4d-25c5-52c8-9853-a8ff970963ff.html | Margaret Reist is a recovering education reporter now writing about local and county government and the people who live in the city where she was born and raised.
Think the women elected to lead the state’s two largest cities are representative of women’s participation in Nebraska’s local politics?
Think again.
In a national ranking of women in the municipal legislative branch, Nebraska ranks second-to- last this year — just three-tenths of a percentage point ahead of Mississippi.
The Center of American Women and Politics at Rutgers University tracks how many women are part of the legislative branches of cities with populations of more than 10,000.
Nebraska has 16 such cities.
Of those, three have female mayors: Lincoln’s Leirion Gaylor Baird, Omaha’s Jean Stothert and Scottsbluff Mayor Jeanne McKerrigan. Both Gaylor Baird and Stothert were elected; McKerrigan, one of five city council members, was chosen by her fellow council members to serve as mayor.
As for city councils, female representatives remain in the minority, although just two towns — Norfolk and Beatrice — have all-male councils. In both Lincoln and Omaha, three of the seven council members are women — the largest percentage of the 16 cities behind only Scottsbluff (three of five).
Seven of those cities have just one female council member. In Hastings, three of the eight council members are women and in Grand Island, three of the 10 are women.
Gaylor Baird has hired women for some high-profile positions in the city, most notably Teresa Ewins, the first woman ever to lead the Lincoln Police Department, and Barb McIntyre, the newest human resources director.
Gaylor Baird's chief of staff is a woman, as are two of her four aides.
On a state level, the 11 women in the Nebraska Legislature comprise about 26% of the 49-member body, and one of those — Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks — is running for a U.S. House of Representatives seat, and another — Sen. Carol Blood — is running for governor.
That’s higher than the 20% represented at the municipal level. Nationally, 31.5% of city leaders are women.
According to the Center of American Women, Mississippi is the only state with less than 20% of female officeholders at the municipal level.
Nebraska is among 20 states in the 20%-29% range, including every contiguous Midwestern state from North Dakota to Texas, plus Iowa, Wyoming and Arkansas.
The highest percentages are in Hawaii (50%) and Alaska (48%), but there’s just one incorporated city of more than 10,000 in Hawaii and just two in Alaska. In the Midwest, Colorado is well-represented by women: 45% of the officeholders in its 60 cities of more than 10,000 are women.
If you are a Nebraskan who would like to see more women in office this might be disheartening, but look on the bright side: Last year, Nebraska ranked last.
Streamlining permits
The city is trying to make it easier to apply for one of the 77,000-some permits or licenses it issues in a year.
The City Council recently approved an agreement with GRM Information Management Services to create an online system that will manage a variety of permit and license applications through one system.
Last year, the city issued 77,727 permits and licenses, though that number also includes such things as pothole complaints. Those licenses and permits generated $17.6 million in city revenue.
The new system will manage permits and licenses for several departments: building and safety, health, Lincoln Transportation and Utilities, and city-county planning.
Now, those systems operate from different web sites. The idea, said Abby Eccher, project manager with information services, is to get them all under the same cyber-roof.
That means people will be able to apply for food handler permits, check restaurant health inspections, apply for business licenses or building permits all on the same system.
Contractors and others working on the same project will all be able to track progress and be notified of permit approvals, and contractors will also be able to see and manage all the jobs they’re working on, Eccher said.
It should also help homeowners doing a single project.
The system will be the place people can find information: What building permits or zoning change requests are happening at a particular address; the results of restaurant health inspections.
It will cost $2.6 million to build the system, and there will be a $360,000 annual license fee.
Eccher said more city and county services could be added in the future.
More city parkland
Consider this a nod to the residents who live near Trendwood Park in east Lincoln: two lots that run along A Street on the northwest edge of the park have now been dedicated as city parkland.
Last summer, the city cleaned up a stinky, muddy retention pond right next to those lots between Sycamore Drive and South 77th Street — on the north end of the park — that neighbors had been complaining about for years.
The city has owned the lots for some years, said Parks and Recreation Director Lynn Johnson, and has been maintaining them along with the rest of the park.
Having them designated as parkland means the city can't sell them to a developer to build on — something neighbors don't want.
The City Council also designated about 40 acres on the east side of Jensen Park as parkland. The city traded the land for about 30 acres of parkland on the southeast end of Jensen Park, near 91st Street and Yankee Hill Road.
The land to the east is better suited as parkland, Johnson said, and because it's flatter and doesn't have a drainage channel running through it, it will be easier to — one day — build baseball fields there.
Margaret Reist is a recovering education reporter now writing about local and county government and the people who live in the city where she was born and raised.
Neighbors hope dredging a retention pond on the north end of Trendwood Park in east Lincoln will get rid of the stench that rises from the pond each summer and into their backyards.
Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird said she's nominated Nebraska Department of Transportation Human Resources Director Barb McIntyre to be the next city and county human resources director.
The City Council recently approved an agreement with PenLink, a local company, to develop software for the new system, which will be owned by the city and county. | 2 | 20,450 | 0.636838 | https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2022/04/04/texas-women-municipal-office-map | 2022-04-04 12:33:37+00:00 | Mapped: Texas women in municipal office
Less than one-third of Texas' municipal offices are held by women, placing the Lone Star State among the lowest in the country for female representation in local government.
Why it matters: Slightly more than half of Texans identify as female, per U.S. census data, but municipal offices don't reflect the population they represent.
- Women make up 28.9% of municipal officeholders in the state.
The analysis by the Center for American Women and Politics looked at the demographics of local offices, including city councils, boards of aldermen, city commissions, mayors and officials who perform mayoral functions.
- The center reviewed all incorporated cities and towns with populations over 10,000.
- Hawaii was the only state where women made up half of those in municipal office, while Mississippi ranked last at 19.7%.
Zoom in: Carole Keeton was the first and only woman to be elected mayor of Austin, and 2015 marked the first majority female Austin City Council.
- While the mayoral filing window ahead of the Nov. 8 election officially opens in July, campaign treasurer applications submitted to the city indicate at least five people could run for mayor — four of them women.
- The filing window closes on Aug. 22 at 5pm.
Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Austin.
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Get a free daily digest of the most important news in your backyard with Axios Austin. |
https://www.binghamtonhomepage.com/reviews/br/toys-games-br/ride-on-toys-br/best-dinosaur-ride-on-toy/ | Which dinosaur ride-on toy is best?
What’s more exciting for a kid than dinosaur toys? Dinosaur toys they can ride! There are a lot of ride-on toys for kids, but there’s something special about taking that and pairing it with these popular prehistorical creatures. It encourages highly imaginative play and is sure to thrill any young dinosaur lover.
Take a look at the Power Wheels Jurassic World Dino Racer Ride-On for one of the most efficient and powerful dinosaur ride-on toys.
What to know before you buy a dinosaur ride-on toy
Age range
Ride-on toys with all kinds of features and capabilities are great for children ages 1 to 8. Some of these features are for safety, while others are relevant to a child’s budding skillset. If you’re not sure which toy is right for your child, consider their weight and height. These toys have maximum weight capacities, and your child’s height is important for determining whether they can reach pedals or sit comfortably with the allotted amount of leg room.
Choosing a dinosaur
While the type of dinosaur you select is limited to what stores are selling, the dinosaur you choose can make or break the experience for a child. If you don’t know a kid’s favorite dinosaur, ask. Or, if it’s a surprise, take a look at the dinosaur toys they already own, and see if there’s one dinosaur that pops up more than the rest. The most popular dinosaur options for ride-on toys include the Tyrannosaurus rex, Velociraptor and Triceratops.
Manual or battery-powered
Decide if you want a ride-on toy operated manually or one that’s electronic. Manual ride-on toys move via pedals, feet or a pull-and-push handle operated by an adult. Battery-powered ride-on toys are ridden with the press of a button and can include sounds or lights to add to the experience.
What to look for in a quality dinosaur ride-on toy
Safety precautions
Safety is the primary concern when it comes to toys, especially ride-on toys. The toy should be well-balanced, not wobbly, with even wheels that can be counted on for a smooth ride without causing the toy to fall over. If the toy is motorized, a separate remote control for parents is provided for emergency stopping.
Adjustable features
Having adjustable features is especially useful when it comes to manual toys. If there is a seat or handlebars, it helps to be able to adjust them to your child’s height. This will let you get more out of the toy as your child grows, making it last longer.
Dinosaur-related extras
If the toy is designed to look like a dinosaur, kids will expect it to behave like a dinosaur. If the toy is motorized, this means sounds, looks or movement related to the dinosaur. It should roar or be heavily detailed to resemble a specific species of dinosaur, not just a general reptilian creature.
How much you can expect to spend on a dinosaur ride-on toy
Manual dinosaur ride-on toys cost $25-$100, while battery-powered ones cost $80-$300.
Dinosaur ride-on toy FAQ
Is assembly required?
A. Yes. The difficulty of the assembly depends on the toy, though manual ride-on toys seem to have more extensive assembly instructions than battery-operated ones.
What are they made of?
A. These toys are mostly made of plastic. Some have metal or electronic components.
What’s the best dinosaur ride-on toy to buy?
Top dinosaur ride-on toy
Power Wheels Jurassic World Dino Racer Ride-On
What you need to know: This battery-powered plastic ride-on toy has four wheels and is designed to look like the Velociraptor named Blue from “Jurassic World”. It’s made for children age 3 to 7 with a 65-pound weight capacity.
What you’ll love: The wheels are durable, made for grass and hard ground, with a top speed of 6 mph. The face and body details are great, making it really look like the film character. There’s a speed-lock feature so parents can control how fast it goes. It’s easy to assemble and the battery comes included.
What you should consider: It doesn’t make any sounds.
Where to buy: Sold by Buy Buy Baby
Top dinosaur ride-on toy for the money
Little Tikes T-Rex Cozy Coupe Dinosaur Ride-On Car
What you need to know: This manual plastic ride-on toy has four wheels and a T-rex theme. It’s made for children 18 months to 5 years old, with a weight capacity of 50 pounds.
What you’ll love: It is cute and durable, and it moves smoothly. The front wheels spin 360 degrees and there is a parent push handle for beginners. There’s a steering wheel, and kids use their feet to move it if they aren’t being pushed. There’s a cup holder in the back. No batteries are required.
What you should consider: While there’s an expressive face and T-rex logos, it doesn’t really look like a T-rex. Assembly can be tricky.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
What you need to know: This manual plastic ride-on toy features a T-rex and truck combo so kids can feel like they are being pulled along by the dinosaur. It’s made for children 3 to 5 years old with a weight capacity of 50 pounds.
What you’ll love: The “dinosaur pulling a truck” design, is creative with lots of details and flourishes on both the T-rex and the truck. It can be used inside or outside and the front tires rotate 360 degrees. There’s a push handle in the back for parents and a steering wheel in the truck for kids. It has a trunk for storage.
What you should consider: Kids love it, but assembly is difficult. In some cases, the toy arrived with missing screws.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals.
Emily Verona writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | 0 | 89,127 | 0 | https://www.wvnstv.com/reviews/br/toys-games-br/ride-on-toys-br/best-dinosaur-ride-on-toy/ | 2022-04-05 18:10:31+00:00 | Which dinosaur ride-on toy is best?
What’s more exciting for a kid than dinosaur toys? Dinosaur toys they can ride! There are a lot of ride-on toys for kids, but there’s something special about taking that and pairing it with these popular prehistorical creatures. It encourages highly imaginative play and is sure to thrill any young dinosaur lover.
Take a look at the Power Wheels Jurassic World Dino Racer Ride-On for one of the most efficient and powerful dinosaur ride-on toys.
What to know before you buy a dinosaur ride-on toy
Age range
Ride-on toys with all kinds of features and capabilities are great for children ages 1 to 8. Some of these features are for safety, while others are relevant to a child’s budding skillset. If you’re not sure which toy is right for your child, consider their weight and height. These toys have maximum weight capacities, and your child’s height is important for determining whether they can reach pedals or sit comfortably with the allotted amount of leg room.
Choosing a dinosaur
While the type of dinosaur you select is limited to what stores are selling, the dinosaur you choose can make or break the experience for a child. If you don’t know a kid’s favorite dinosaur, ask. Or, if it’s a surprise, take a look at the dinosaur toys they already own, and see if there’s one dinosaur that pops up more than the rest. The most popular dinosaur options for ride-on toys include the Tyrannosaurus rex, Velociraptor and Triceratops.
Manual or battery-powered
Decide if you want a ride-on toy operated manually or one that’s electronic. Manual ride-on toys move via pedals, feet or a pull-and-push handle operated by an adult. Battery-powered ride-on toys are ridden with the press of a button and can include sounds or lights to add to the experience.
What to look for in a quality dinosaur ride-on toy
Safety precautions
Safety is the primary concern when it comes to toys, especially ride-on toys. The toy should be well-balanced, not wobbly, with even wheels that can be counted on for a smooth ride without causing the toy to fall over. If the toy is motorized, a separate remote control for parents is provided for emergency stopping.
Adjustable features
Having adjustable features is especially useful when it comes to manual toys. If there is a seat or handlebars, it helps to be able to adjust them to your child’s height. This will let you get more out of the toy as your child grows, making it last longer.
Dinosaur-related extras
If the toy is designed to look like a dinosaur, kids will expect it to behave like a dinosaur. If the toy is motorized, this means sounds, looks or movement related to the dinosaur. It should roar or be heavily detailed to resemble a specific species of dinosaur, not just a general reptilian creature.
How much you can expect to spend on a dinosaur ride-on toy
Manual dinosaur ride-on toys cost $25-$100, while battery-powered ones cost $80-$300.
Dinosaur ride-on toy FAQ
Is assembly required?
A. Yes. The difficulty of the assembly depends on the toy, though manual ride-on toys seem to have more extensive assembly instructions than battery-operated ones.
What are they made of?
A. These toys are mostly made of plastic. Some have metal or electronic components.
What’s the best dinosaur ride-on toy to buy?
Top dinosaur ride-on toy
Power Wheels Jurassic World Dino Racer Ride-On
What you need to know: This battery-powered plastic ride-on toy has four wheels and is designed to look like the Velociraptor named Blue from “Jurassic World”. It’s made for children age 3 to 7 with a 65-pound weight capacity.
What you’ll love: The wheels are durable, made for grass and hard ground, with a top speed of 6 mph. The face and body details are great, making it really look like the film character. There’s a speed-lock feature so parents can control how fast it goes. It’s easy to assemble and the battery comes included.
What you should consider: It doesn’t make any sounds.
Where to buy: Sold by Buy Buy Baby
Top dinosaur ride-on toy for the money
Little Tikes T-Rex Cozy Coupe Dinosaur Ride-On Car
What you need to know: This manual plastic ride-on toy has four wheels and a T-rex theme. It’s made for children 18 months to 5 years old, with a weight capacity of 50 pounds.
What you’ll love: It is cute and durable, and it moves smoothly. The front wheels spin 360 degrees and there is a parent push handle for beginners. There’s a steering wheel, and kids use their feet to move it if they aren’t being pushed. There’s a cup holder in the back. No batteries are required.
What you should consider: While there’s an expressive face and T-rex logos, it doesn’t really look like a T-rex. Assembly can be tricky.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
What you need to know: This manual plastic ride-on toy features a T-rex and truck combo so kids can feel like they are being pulled along by the dinosaur. It’s made for children 3 to 5 years old with a weight capacity of 50 pounds.
What you’ll love: The “dinosaur pulling a truck” design, is creative with lots of details and flourishes on both the T-rex and the truck. It can be used inside or outside and the front tires rotate 360 degrees. There’s a push handle in the back for parents and a steering wheel in the truck for kids. It has a trunk for storage.
What you should consider: Kids love it, but assembly is difficult. In some cases, the toy arrived with missing screws.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals.
Emily Verona writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. |
https://www.binghamtonhomepage.com/reviews/br/toys-games-br/ride-on-toys-br/best-dinosaur-ride-on-toy/ | Which dinosaur ride-on toy is best?
What’s more exciting for a kid than dinosaur toys? Dinosaur toys they can ride! There are a lot of ride-on toys for kids, but there’s something special about taking that and pairing it with these popular prehistorical creatures. It encourages highly imaginative play and is sure to thrill any young dinosaur lover.
Take a look at the Power Wheels Jurassic World Dino Racer Ride-On for one of the most efficient and powerful dinosaur ride-on toys.
What to know before you buy a dinosaur ride-on toy
Age range
Ride-on toys with all kinds of features and capabilities are great for children ages 1 to 8. Some of these features are for safety, while others are relevant to a child’s budding skillset. If you’re not sure which toy is right for your child, consider their weight and height. These toys have maximum weight capacities, and your child’s height is important for determining whether they can reach pedals or sit comfortably with the allotted amount of leg room.
Choosing a dinosaur
While the type of dinosaur you select is limited to what stores are selling, the dinosaur you choose can make or break the experience for a child. If you don’t know a kid’s favorite dinosaur, ask. Or, if it’s a surprise, take a look at the dinosaur toys they already own, and see if there’s one dinosaur that pops up more than the rest. The most popular dinosaur options for ride-on toys include the Tyrannosaurus rex, Velociraptor and Triceratops.
Manual or battery-powered
Decide if you want a ride-on toy operated manually or one that’s electronic. Manual ride-on toys move via pedals, feet or a pull-and-push handle operated by an adult. Battery-powered ride-on toys are ridden with the press of a button and can include sounds or lights to add to the experience.
What to look for in a quality dinosaur ride-on toy
Safety precautions
Safety is the primary concern when it comes to toys, especially ride-on toys. The toy should be well-balanced, not wobbly, with even wheels that can be counted on for a smooth ride without causing the toy to fall over. If the toy is motorized, a separate remote control for parents is provided for emergency stopping.
Adjustable features
Having adjustable features is especially useful when it comes to manual toys. If there is a seat or handlebars, it helps to be able to adjust them to your child’s height. This will let you get more out of the toy as your child grows, making it last longer.
Dinosaur-related extras
If the toy is designed to look like a dinosaur, kids will expect it to behave like a dinosaur. If the toy is motorized, this means sounds, looks or movement related to the dinosaur. It should roar or be heavily detailed to resemble a specific species of dinosaur, not just a general reptilian creature.
How much you can expect to spend on a dinosaur ride-on toy
Manual dinosaur ride-on toys cost $25-$100, while battery-powered ones cost $80-$300.
Dinosaur ride-on toy FAQ
Is assembly required?
A. Yes. The difficulty of the assembly depends on the toy, though manual ride-on toys seem to have more extensive assembly instructions than battery-operated ones.
What are they made of?
A. These toys are mostly made of plastic. Some have metal or electronic components.
What’s the best dinosaur ride-on toy to buy?
Top dinosaur ride-on toy
Power Wheels Jurassic World Dino Racer Ride-On
What you need to know: This battery-powered plastic ride-on toy has four wheels and is designed to look like the Velociraptor named Blue from “Jurassic World”. It’s made for children age 3 to 7 with a 65-pound weight capacity.
What you’ll love: The wheels are durable, made for grass and hard ground, with a top speed of 6 mph. The face and body details are great, making it really look like the film character. There’s a speed-lock feature so parents can control how fast it goes. It’s easy to assemble and the battery comes included.
What you should consider: It doesn’t make any sounds.
Where to buy: Sold by Buy Buy Baby
Top dinosaur ride-on toy for the money
Little Tikes T-Rex Cozy Coupe Dinosaur Ride-On Car
What you need to know: This manual plastic ride-on toy has four wheels and a T-rex theme. It’s made for children 18 months to 5 years old, with a weight capacity of 50 pounds.
What you’ll love: It is cute and durable, and it moves smoothly. The front wheels spin 360 degrees and there is a parent push handle for beginners. There’s a steering wheel, and kids use their feet to move it if they aren’t being pushed. There’s a cup holder in the back. No batteries are required.
What you should consider: While there’s an expressive face and T-rex logos, it doesn’t really look like a T-rex. Assembly can be tricky.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
What you need to know: This manual plastic ride-on toy features a T-rex and truck combo so kids can feel like they are being pulled along by the dinosaur. It’s made for children 3 to 5 years old with a weight capacity of 50 pounds.
What you’ll love: The “dinosaur pulling a truck” design, is creative with lots of details and flourishes on both the T-rex and the truck. It can be used inside or outside and the front tires rotate 360 degrees. There’s a push handle in the back for parents and a steering wheel in the truck for kids. It has a trunk for storage.
What you should consider: Kids love it, but assembly is difficult. In some cases, the toy arrived with missing screws.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals.
Emily Verona writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | 1 | 89,919 | 0 | https://www.cbs17.com/reviews/br/toys-games-br/ride-on-toys-br/best-dinosaur-ride-on-toy/ | 2022-04-05 18:14:26+00:00 | Which dinosaur ride-on toy is best?
What’s more exciting for a kid than dinosaur toys? Dinosaur toys they can ride! There are a lot of ride-on toys for kids, but there’s something special about taking that and pairing it with these popular prehistorical creatures. It encourages highly imaginative play and is sure to thrill any young dinosaur lover.
Take a look at the Power Wheels Jurassic World Dino Racer Ride-On for one of the most efficient and powerful dinosaur ride-on toys.
What to know before you buy a dinosaur ride-on toy
Age range
Ride-on toys with all kinds of features and capabilities are great for children ages 1 to 8. Some of these features are for safety, while others are relevant to a child’s budding skillset. If you’re not sure which toy is right for your child, consider their weight and height. These toys have maximum weight capacities, and your child’s height is important for determining whether they can reach pedals or sit comfortably with the allotted amount of leg room.
Choosing a dinosaur
While the type of dinosaur you select is limited to what stores are selling, the dinosaur you choose can make or break the experience for a child. If you don’t know a kid’s favorite dinosaur, ask. Or, if it’s a surprise, take a look at the dinosaur toys they already own, and see if there’s one dinosaur that pops up more than the rest. The most popular dinosaur options for ride-on toys include the Tyrannosaurus rex, Velociraptor and Triceratops.
Manual or battery-powered
Decide if you want a ride-on toy operated manually or one that’s electronic. Manual ride-on toys move via pedals, feet or a pull-and-push handle operated by an adult. Battery-powered ride-on toys are ridden with the press of a button and can include sounds or lights to add to the experience.
What to look for in a quality dinosaur ride-on toy
Safety precautions
Safety is the primary concern when it comes to toys, especially ride-on toys. The toy should be well-balanced, not wobbly, with even wheels that can be counted on for a smooth ride without causing the toy to fall over. If the toy is motorized, a separate remote control for parents is provided for emergency stopping.
Adjustable features
Having adjustable features is especially useful when it comes to manual toys. If there is a seat or handlebars, it helps to be able to adjust them to your child’s height. This will let you get more out of the toy as your child grows, making it last longer.
Dinosaur-related extras
If the toy is designed to look like a dinosaur, kids will expect it to behave like a dinosaur. If the toy is motorized, this means sounds, looks or movement related to the dinosaur. It should roar or be heavily detailed to resemble a specific species of dinosaur, not just a general reptilian creature.
How much you can expect to spend on a dinosaur ride-on toy
Manual dinosaur ride-on toys cost $25-$100, while battery-powered ones cost $80-$300.
Dinosaur ride-on toy FAQ
Is assembly required?
A. Yes. The difficulty of the assembly depends on the toy, though manual ride-on toys seem to have more extensive assembly instructions than battery-operated ones.
What are they made of?
A. These toys are mostly made of plastic. Some have metal or electronic components.
What’s the best dinosaur ride-on toy to buy?
Top dinosaur ride-on toy
Power Wheels Jurassic World Dino Racer Ride-On
What you need to know: This battery-powered plastic ride-on toy has four wheels and is designed to look like the Velociraptor named Blue from “Jurassic World”. It’s made for children age 3 to 7 with a 65-pound weight capacity.
What you’ll love: The wheels are durable, made for grass and hard ground, with a top speed of 6 mph. The face and body details are great, making it really look like the film character. There’s a speed-lock feature so parents can control how fast it goes. It’s easy to assemble and the battery comes included.
What you should consider: It doesn’t make any sounds.
Where to buy: Sold by Buy Buy Baby
Top dinosaur ride-on toy for the money
Little Tikes T-Rex Cozy Coupe Dinosaur Ride-On Car
What you need to know: This manual plastic ride-on toy has four wheels and a T-rex theme. It’s made for children 18 months to 5 years old, with a weight capacity of 50 pounds.
What you’ll love: It is cute and durable, and it moves smoothly. The front wheels spin 360 degrees and there is a parent push handle for beginners. There’s a steering wheel, and kids use their feet to move it if they aren’t being pushed. There’s a cup holder in the back. No batteries are required.
What you should consider: While there’s an expressive face and T-rex logos, it doesn’t really look like a T-rex. Assembly can be tricky.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
What you need to know: This manual plastic ride-on toy features a T-rex and truck combo so kids can feel like they are being pulled along by the dinosaur. It’s made for children 3 to 5 years old with a weight capacity of 50 pounds.
What you’ll love: The “dinosaur pulling a truck” design, is creative with lots of details and flourishes on both the T-rex and the truck. It can be used inside or outside and the front tires rotate 360 degrees. There’s a push handle in the back for parents and a steering wheel in the truck for kids. It has a trunk for storage.
What you should consider: Kids love it, but assembly is difficult. In some cases, the toy arrived with missing screws.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals.
Emily Verona writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. |
https://www.binghamtonhomepage.com/reviews/br/toys-games-br/ride-on-toys-br/best-dinosaur-ride-on-toy/ | Which dinosaur ride-on toy is best?
What’s more exciting for a kid than dinosaur toys? Dinosaur toys they can ride! There are a lot of ride-on toys for kids, but there’s something special about taking that and pairing it with these popular prehistorical creatures. It encourages highly imaginative play and is sure to thrill any young dinosaur lover.
Take a look at the Power Wheels Jurassic World Dino Racer Ride-On for one of the most efficient and powerful dinosaur ride-on toys.
What to know before you buy a dinosaur ride-on toy
Age range
Ride-on toys with all kinds of features and capabilities are great for children ages 1 to 8. Some of these features are for safety, while others are relevant to a child’s budding skillset. If you’re not sure which toy is right for your child, consider their weight and height. These toys have maximum weight capacities, and your child’s height is important for determining whether they can reach pedals or sit comfortably with the allotted amount of leg room.
Choosing a dinosaur
While the type of dinosaur you select is limited to what stores are selling, the dinosaur you choose can make or break the experience for a child. If you don’t know a kid’s favorite dinosaur, ask. Or, if it’s a surprise, take a look at the dinosaur toys they already own, and see if there’s one dinosaur that pops up more than the rest. The most popular dinosaur options for ride-on toys include the Tyrannosaurus rex, Velociraptor and Triceratops.
Manual or battery-powered
Decide if you want a ride-on toy operated manually or one that’s electronic. Manual ride-on toys move via pedals, feet or a pull-and-push handle operated by an adult. Battery-powered ride-on toys are ridden with the press of a button and can include sounds or lights to add to the experience.
What to look for in a quality dinosaur ride-on toy
Safety precautions
Safety is the primary concern when it comes to toys, especially ride-on toys. The toy should be well-balanced, not wobbly, with even wheels that can be counted on for a smooth ride without causing the toy to fall over. If the toy is motorized, a separate remote control for parents is provided for emergency stopping.
Adjustable features
Having adjustable features is especially useful when it comes to manual toys. If there is a seat or handlebars, it helps to be able to adjust them to your child’s height. This will let you get more out of the toy as your child grows, making it last longer.
Dinosaur-related extras
If the toy is designed to look like a dinosaur, kids will expect it to behave like a dinosaur. If the toy is motorized, this means sounds, looks or movement related to the dinosaur. It should roar or be heavily detailed to resemble a specific species of dinosaur, not just a general reptilian creature.
How much you can expect to spend on a dinosaur ride-on toy
Manual dinosaur ride-on toys cost $25-$100, while battery-powered ones cost $80-$300.
Dinosaur ride-on toy FAQ
Is assembly required?
A. Yes. The difficulty of the assembly depends on the toy, though manual ride-on toys seem to have more extensive assembly instructions than battery-operated ones.
What are they made of?
A. These toys are mostly made of plastic. Some have metal or electronic components.
What’s the best dinosaur ride-on toy to buy?
Top dinosaur ride-on toy
Power Wheels Jurassic World Dino Racer Ride-On
What you need to know: This battery-powered plastic ride-on toy has four wheels and is designed to look like the Velociraptor named Blue from “Jurassic World”. It’s made for children age 3 to 7 with a 65-pound weight capacity.
What you’ll love: The wheels are durable, made for grass and hard ground, with a top speed of 6 mph. The face and body details are great, making it really look like the film character. There’s a speed-lock feature so parents can control how fast it goes. It’s easy to assemble and the battery comes included.
What you should consider: It doesn’t make any sounds.
Where to buy: Sold by Buy Buy Baby
Top dinosaur ride-on toy for the money
Little Tikes T-Rex Cozy Coupe Dinosaur Ride-On Car
What you need to know: This manual plastic ride-on toy has four wheels and a T-rex theme. It’s made for children 18 months to 5 years old, with a weight capacity of 50 pounds.
What you’ll love: It is cute and durable, and it moves smoothly. The front wheels spin 360 degrees and there is a parent push handle for beginners. There’s a steering wheel, and kids use their feet to move it if they aren’t being pushed. There’s a cup holder in the back. No batteries are required.
What you should consider: While there’s an expressive face and T-rex logos, it doesn’t really look like a T-rex. Assembly can be tricky.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
What you need to know: This manual plastic ride-on toy features a T-rex and truck combo so kids can feel like they are being pulled along by the dinosaur. It’s made for children 3 to 5 years old with a weight capacity of 50 pounds.
What you’ll love: The “dinosaur pulling a truck” design, is creative with lots of details and flourishes on both the T-rex and the truck. It can be used inside or outside and the front tires rotate 360 degrees. There’s a push handle in the back for parents and a steering wheel in the truck for kids. It has a trunk for storage.
What you should consider: Kids love it, but assembly is difficult. In some cases, the toy arrived with missing screws.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals.
Emily Verona writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | 2 | 93,003 | 0 | https://www.abc4.com/reviews/br/toys-games-br/ride-on-toys-br/best-dinosaur-ride-on-toy/ | 2022-04-05 18:24:03+00:00 | Which dinosaur ride-on toy is best?
What’s more exciting for a kid than dinosaur toys? Dinosaur toys they can ride! There are a lot of ride-on toys for kids, but there’s something special about taking that and pairing it with these popular prehistorical creatures. It encourages highly imaginative play and is sure to thrill any young dinosaur lover.
Take a look at the Power Wheels Jurassic World Dino Racer Ride-On for one of the most efficient and powerful dinosaur ride-on toys.
What to know before you buy a dinosaur ride-on toy
Age range
Ride-on toys with all kinds of features and capabilities are great for children ages 1 to 8. Some of these features are for safety, while others are relevant to a child’s budding skillset. If you’re not sure which toy is right for your child, consider their weight and height. These toys have maximum weight capacities, and your child’s height is important for determining whether they can reach pedals or sit comfortably with the allotted amount of leg room.
Choosing a dinosaur
While the type of dinosaur you select is limited to what stores are selling, the dinosaur you choose can make or break the experience for a child. If you don’t know a kid’s favorite dinosaur, ask. Or, if it’s a surprise, take a look at the dinosaur toys they already own, and see if there’s one dinosaur that pops up more than the rest. The most popular dinosaur options for ride-on toys include the Tyrannosaurus rex, Velociraptor and Triceratops.
Manual or battery-powered
Decide if you want a ride-on toy operated manually or one that’s electronic. Manual ride-on toys move via pedals, feet or a pull-and-push handle operated by an adult. Battery-powered ride-on toys are ridden with the press of a button and can include sounds or lights to add to the experience.
What to look for in a quality dinosaur ride-on toy
Safety precautions
Safety is the primary concern when it comes to toys, especially ride-on toys. The toy should be well-balanced, not wobbly, with even wheels that can be counted on for a smooth ride without causing the toy to fall over. If the toy is motorized, a separate remote control for parents is provided for emergency stopping.
Adjustable features
Having adjustable features is especially useful when it comes to manual toys. If there is a seat or handlebars, it helps to be able to adjust them to your child’s height. This will let you get more out of the toy as your child grows, making it last longer.
Dinosaur-related extras
If the toy is designed to look like a dinosaur, kids will expect it to behave like a dinosaur. If the toy is motorized, this means sounds, looks or movement related to the dinosaur. It should roar or be heavily detailed to resemble a specific species of dinosaur, not just a general reptilian creature.
How much you can expect to spend on a dinosaur ride-on toy
Manual dinosaur ride-on toys cost $25-$100, while battery-powered ones cost $80-$300.
Dinosaur ride-on toy FAQ
Is assembly required?
A. Yes. The difficulty of the assembly depends on the toy, though manual ride-on toys seem to have more extensive assembly instructions than battery-operated ones.
What are they made of?
A. These toys are mostly made of plastic. Some have metal or electronic components.
What’s the best dinosaur ride-on toy to buy?
Top dinosaur ride-on toy
Power Wheels Jurassic World Dino Racer Ride-On
What you need to know: This battery-powered plastic ride-on toy has four wheels and is designed to look like the Velociraptor named Blue from “Jurassic World”. It’s made for children age 3 to 7 with a 65-pound weight capacity.
What you’ll love: The wheels are durable, made for grass and hard ground, with a top speed of 6 mph. The face and body details are great, making it really look like the film character. There’s a speed-lock feature so parents can control how fast it goes. It’s easy to assemble and the battery comes included.
What you should consider: It doesn’t make any sounds.
Where to buy: Sold by Buy Buy Baby
Top dinosaur ride-on toy for the money
Little Tikes T-Rex Cozy Coupe Dinosaur Ride-On Car
What you need to know: This manual plastic ride-on toy has four wheels and a T-rex theme. It’s made for children 18 months to 5 years old, with a weight capacity of 50 pounds.
What you’ll love: It is cute and durable, and it moves smoothly. The front wheels spin 360 degrees and there is a parent push handle for beginners. There’s a steering wheel, and kids use their feet to move it if they aren’t being pushed. There’s a cup holder in the back. No batteries are required.
What you should consider: While there’s an expressive face and T-rex logos, it doesn’t really look like a T-rex. Assembly can be tricky.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
What you need to know: This manual plastic ride-on toy features a T-rex and truck combo so kids can feel like they are being pulled along by the dinosaur. It’s made for children 3 to 5 years old with a weight capacity of 50 pounds.
What you’ll love: The “dinosaur pulling a truck” design, is creative with lots of details and flourishes on both the T-rex and the truck. It can be used inside or outside and the front tires rotate 360 degrees. There’s a push handle in the back for parents and a steering wheel in the truck for kids. It has a trunk for storage.
What you should consider: Kids love it, but assembly is difficult. In some cases, the toy arrived with missing screws.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Emily Verona writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. |
https://www.wpri.com/business-news/new-twitter-biggie-musk-may-have-thoughts-on-edit-button/ | Twitter tweeted Tuesday that it is indeed working on a way for users to edit their 280-character messages, although it says the project has nothing to do with the fact that edit-function fan Elon Musk was just revealed as the company’s largest shareholder and now sits on its board.
Twitter said it will test the feature in its paid service, Twitter Blue, in the coming months. It said the test would help it “learn what works, what doesn’t, and what’s possible.” So it may be a while before most Twitter users get to use it, if they ever do. Twitter spokesperson Catherine Hill declined to say whether an edit feature might be rolled out for all users.
Many Twitter users — among them, Kim Kardashian, Ice T, Katy Perry and McDonald’s corporate account — have long begged for an edit button. The company itself recently teased users with an April Fool’s Day tweet saying “we are working on an edit button.” The official Twitter account said Tuesday that the April 1 tweet wasn’t a joke and that it has been working on it since last year.
Twitter also said it didn’t get the idea from a Twitter poll launched by Tesla CEO Musk Monday evening. Musk, himself a Twitter power user, asked followers if they wanted an edit button, cheekily misspelling “yes” as “yse” and “no” as “on.” More than 4 million people had voted as of Tuesday evening.
Musk also tweeted that he is looking forward to making “significant improvements to Twitter in coming months!”
Twitter’s vice president of consumer product, Jay Sullivan, tweeted Tuesday that an edit function has for years been Twitter’s most requested new feature, noting that people want to fix mistakes, typos, and “hot takes.”
Former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey had said that Twitter had considered an edit button, but in a January 2020 Q&A maintained that “we’ll probably never do it.” He noted that Twitter’s current setup keeps the spirit of its text-message origins — texts can’t be edited — and the confusion that could result from users making changes to a tweet that has already been heavily circulated by others. Dorsey stepped down as CEO in November 2021.
People who study Twitter also say adding an edit button would likely change the nature of Twitter, making it less valuable as a historical warehouse that stores official statements by politicians and other high-profile people. Twitter, for better or worse, “has become the de facto news wire,” said Jennifer Grygiel, a Syracuse University communications professor and an expert on social media who researches propaganda.
Tweets are often embedded in news stories, which could cause problems if the users edit important or controversial tweets without leaving evidence of the original statement. Grygiel suggested instead giving Twitter users a window of time to edit their tweets before they publish them.
Letting powerful Twitter users edit their tweets means they would not be historical statements anymore, Grygiel said. “We need to think about what the implications are, what these tweets are, who has power.”
The company acknowledged those concerns Tuesday evening when Sullivan tweeted: “Without things like time limits, controls, and transparency about what has been edited, Edit could be misused to alter the record of the public conversation. Protecting the integrity of that public conversation is our top priority when we approach this work.”
Musk, too, had said that a proposal for a post-publication edit window of a few minutes “ sounds reasonable.”
Musk is someone who could seemingly use an edit button. His tweet about taking Tesla private at $420 per share, when funding was not secured, led to a $40 million SEC settlement and a requirement that Musk’s tweets be approved by a corporate lawyer. Musk is still embroiled in a fight over that settlement.
Twitter had earlier seemed to be taking a tongue-in-cheek approach to Musk’s poll. Twitter’s CEO, Parag Agrawal, retweeted the pollwith a seeming reference to an earlier tweet by Musk, saying “The consequences of this poll will be important. Please vote carefully.” Musk had used the same language in a March tweet describing another of his polls that asked whether Twitter adheres to free speech principles. | 0 | 33,419 | 0 | https://www.texomashomepage.com/news/new-twitter-biggie-musk-may-have-thoughts-on-edit-button/ | 2022-04-06 00:16:13+00:00 | Twitter tweeted Tuesday that it is indeed working on a way for users to edit their 280-character messages, although it says the project has nothing to do with the fact that edit-function fan Elon Musk was just revealed as the company’s largest shareholder and now sits on its board.
Twitter said it will test the feature in its paid service, Twitter Blue, in the coming months. It said the test would help it “learn what works, what doesn’t, and what’s possible.” So it may be a while before most Twitter users get to use it, if they ever do. Twitter spokesperson Catherine Hill declined to say whether an edit feature might be rolled out for all users.
Many Twitter users — among them, Kim Kardashian, Ice T, Katy Perry and McDonald’s corporate account — have long begged for an edit button. The company itself recently teased users with an April Fool’s Day tweet saying “we are working on an edit button.” The official Twitter account said Tuesday that the April 1 tweet wasn’t a joke and that it has been working on it since last year.
Twitter also said it didn’t get the idea from a Twitter poll launched by Tesla CEO Musk Monday evening. Musk, himself a Twitter power user, asked followers if they wanted an edit button, cheekily misspelling “yes” as “yse” and “no” as “on.” More than 4 million people had voted as of Tuesday evening.
Musk also tweeted that he is looking forward to making “significant improvements to Twitter in coming months!”
Twitter’s vice president of consumer product, Jay Sullivan, tweeted Tuesday that an edit function has for years been Twitter’s most requested new feature, noting that people want to fix mistakes, typos, and “hot takes.”
Former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey had said that Twitter had considered an edit button, but in a January 2020 Q&A maintained that “we’ll probably never do it.” He noted that Twitter’s current setup keeps the spirit of its text-message origins — texts can’t be edited — and the confusion that could result from users making changes to a tweet that has already been heavily circulated by others. Dorsey stepped down as CEO in November 2021.
People who study Twitter also say adding an edit button would likely change the nature of Twitter, making it less valuable as a historical warehouse that stores official statements by politicians and other high-profile people. Twitter, for better or worse, “has become the de facto news wire,” said Jennifer Grygiel, a Syracuse University communications professor and an expert on social media who researches propaganda.
Tweets are often embedded in news stories, which could cause problems if the users edit important or controversial tweets without leaving evidence of the original statement. Grygiel suggested instead giving Twitter users a window of time to edit their tweets before they publish them.
Letting powerful Twitter users edit their tweets means they would not be historical statements anymore, Grygiel said. “We need to think about what the implications are, what these tweets are, who has power.”
The company acknowledged those concerns Tuesday evening when Sullivan tweeted: “Without things like time limits, controls, and transparency about what has been edited, Edit could be misused to alter the record of the public conversation. Protecting the integrity of that public conversation is our top priority when we approach this work.”
Musk, too, had said that a proposal for a post-publication edit window of a few minutes “ sounds reasonable.”
Musk is someone who could seemingly use an edit button. His tweet about taking Tesla private at $420 per share, when funding was not secured, led to a $40 million SEC settlement and a requirement that Musk’s tweets be approved by a corporate lawyer. Musk is still embroiled in a fight over that settlement.
Twitter had earlier seemed to be taking a tongue-in-cheek approach to Musk’s poll. Twitter’s CEO, Parag Agrawal, retweeted the pollwith a seeming reference to an earlier tweet by Musk, saying “The consequences of this poll will be important. Please vote carefully.” Musk had used the same language in a March tweet describing another of his polls that asked whether Twitter adheres to free speech principles. |
https://www.wpri.com/business-news/new-twitter-biggie-musk-may-have-thoughts-on-edit-button/ | Twitter tweeted Tuesday that it is indeed working on a way for users to edit their 280-character messages, although it says the project has nothing to do with the fact that edit-function fan Elon Musk was just revealed as the company’s largest shareholder and now sits on its board.
Twitter said it will test the feature in its paid service, Twitter Blue, in the coming months. It said the test would help it “learn what works, what doesn’t, and what’s possible.” So it may be a while before most Twitter users get to use it, if they ever do. Twitter spokesperson Catherine Hill declined to say whether an edit feature might be rolled out for all users.
Many Twitter users — among them, Kim Kardashian, Ice T, Katy Perry and McDonald’s corporate account — have long begged for an edit button. The company itself recently teased users with an April Fool’s Day tweet saying “we are working on an edit button.” The official Twitter account said Tuesday that the April 1 tweet wasn’t a joke and that it has been working on it since last year.
Twitter also said it didn’t get the idea from a Twitter poll launched by Tesla CEO Musk Monday evening. Musk, himself a Twitter power user, asked followers if they wanted an edit button, cheekily misspelling “yes” as “yse” and “no” as “on.” More than 4 million people had voted as of Tuesday evening.
Musk also tweeted that he is looking forward to making “significant improvements to Twitter in coming months!”
Twitter’s vice president of consumer product, Jay Sullivan, tweeted Tuesday that an edit function has for years been Twitter’s most requested new feature, noting that people want to fix mistakes, typos, and “hot takes.”
Former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey had said that Twitter had considered an edit button, but in a January 2020 Q&A maintained that “we’ll probably never do it.” He noted that Twitter’s current setup keeps the spirit of its text-message origins — texts can’t be edited — and the confusion that could result from users making changes to a tweet that has already been heavily circulated by others. Dorsey stepped down as CEO in November 2021.
People who study Twitter also say adding an edit button would likely change the nature of Twitter, making it less valuable as a historical warehouse that stores official statements by politicians and other high-profile people. Twitter, for better or worse, “has become the de facto news wire,” said Jennifer Grygiel, a Syracuse University communications professor and an expert on social media who researches propaganda.
Tweets are often embedded in news stories, which could cause problems if the users edit important or controversial tweets without leaving evidence of the original statement. Grygiel suggested instead giving Twitter users a window of time to edit their tweets before they publish them.
Letting powerful Twitter users edit their tweets means they would not be historical statements anymore, Grygiel said. “We need to think about what the implications are, what these tweets are, who has power.”
The company acknowledged those concerns Tuesday evening when Sullivan tweeted: “Without things like time limits, controls, and transparency about what has been edited, Edit could be misused to alter the record of the public conversation. Protecting the integrity of that public conversation is our top priority when we approach this work.”
Musk, too, had said that a proposal for a post-publication edit window of a few minutes “ sounds reasonable.”
Musk is someone who could seemingly use an edit button. His tweet about taking Tesla private at $420 per share, when funding was not secured, led to a $40 million SEC settlement and a requirement that Musk’s tweets be approved by a corporate lawyer. Musk is still embroiled in a fight over that settlement.
Twitter had earlier seemed to be taking a tongue-in-cheek approach to Musk’s poll. Twitter’s CEO, Parag Agrawal, retweeted the pollwith a seeming reference to an earlier tweet by Musk, saying “The consequences of this poll will be important. Please vote carefully.” Musk had used the same language in a March tweet describing another of his polls that asked whether Twitter adheres to free speech principles. | 1 | 37,940 | 0 | https://whdh.com/news/twitter-says-its-testing-edit-button-day-after-musk-poll/ | 2022-04-06 00:38:51+00:00 | Twitter tweeted Tuesday that it is indeed working on a way for users to edit their 280-character messages, although it says the project has nothing to do with the fact that edit-function fan Elon Musk was just revealed as the company’s largest shareholder and now sits on its board.
Twitter said it will test the feature in its paid service, Twitter Blue, in the coming months. It said the test would help it “learn what works, what doesn’t, and what’s possible.” So it may be a while before most Twitter users get to use it, if they ever do. Twitter spokesperson Catherine Hill declined to say whether an edit feature might be rolled out for all users.
Many Twitter users — among them, Kim Kardashian, Ice T, Katy Perry and McDonald’s corporate account — have long begged for an edit button. The company itself recently teased users with an April Fool’s Day tweet saying “we are working on an edit button.” The official Twitter account said Tuesday that the April 1 tweet wasn’t a joke and that it has been working on it since last year.
Twitter also said it didn’t get the idea from a Twitter poll launched by Tesla CEO Musk Monday evening. Musk, himself a Twitter power user, asked followers if they wanted an edit button, cheekily misspelling “yes” as “yse” and “no” as “on.” More than 4 million people had voted as of Tuesday evening.
Musk also tweeted that he is looking forward to making “significant improvements to Twitter in coming months!”
Twitter’s vice president of consumer product, Jay Sullivan, tweeted Tuesday that an edit function has for years been Twitter’s most requested new feature, noting that people want to fix mistakes, typos, and “hot takes.”
Former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey had said that Twitter had considered an edit button, but in a January 2020 Q&A maintained that “we’ll probably never do it.” He noted that Twitter’s current setup keeps the spirit of its text-message origins — texts can’t be edited — and the confusion that could result from users making changes to a tweet that has already been heavily circulated by others. Dorsey stepped down as CEO in November 2021.
People who study Twitter also say adding an edit button would likely change the nature of Twitter, making it less valuable as a historical warehouse that stores official statements by politicians and other high-profile people. Twitter, for better or worse, “has become the de facto news wire,” said Jennifer Grygiel, a Syracuse University communications professor and an expert on social media who researches propaganda.
Tweets are often embedded in news stories, which could cause problems if the users edit important or controversial tweets without leaving evidence of the original statement. Grygiel suggested instead giving Twitter users a window of time to edit their tweets before they publish them.
Letting powerful Twitter users edit their tweets means they would not be historical statements anymore, Grygiel said. “We need to think about what the implications are, what these tweets are, who has power.”
The company acknowledged those concerns Tuesday evening when Sullivan tweeted: “Without things like time limits, controls, and transparency about what has been edited, Edit could be misused to alter the record of the public conversation. Protecting the integrity of that public conversation is our top priority when we approach this work.”
Musk, too, had said that a proposal for a post-publication edit window of a few minutes “ sounds reasonable.”
Musk is someone who could seemingly use an edit button. His tweet about taking Tesla private at $420 per share, when funding was not secured, led to a $40 million SEC settlement and a requirement that Musk’s tweets be approved by a corporate lawyer. Musk is still embroiled in a fight over that settlement.
Twitter had earlier seemed to be taking a tongue-in-cheek approach to Musk’s poll. Twitter’s CEO, Parag Agrawal, retweeted the poll with a seeming reference to an earlier tweet by Musk, saying “The consequences of this poll will be important. Please vote carefully.” Musk had used the same language in a March tweet describing another of his polls that asked whether Twitter adheres to free speech principles.
(Copyright (c) 2022 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.) |
https://www.wpri.com/business-news/new-twitter-biggie-musk-may-have-thoughts-on-edit-button/ | Twitter tweeted Tuesday that it is indeed working on a way for users to edit their 280-character messages, although it says the project has nothing to do with the fact that edit-function fan Elon Musk was just revealed as the company’s largest shareholder and now sits on its board.
Twitter said it will test the feature in its paid service, Twitter Blue, in the coming months. It said the test would help it “learn what works, what doesn’t, and what’s possible.” So it may be a while before most Twitter users get to use it, if they ever do. Twitter spokesperson Catherine Hill declined to say whether an edit feature might be rolled out for all users.
Many Twitter users — among them, Kim Kardashian, Ice T, Katy Perry and McDonald’s corporate account — have long begged for an edit button. The company itself recently teased users with an April Fool’s Day tweet saying “we are working on an edit button.” The official Twitter account said Tuesday that the April 1 tweet wasn’t a joke and that it has been working on it since last year.
Twitter also said it didn’t get the idea from a Twitter poll launched by Tesla CEO Musk Monday evening. Musk, himself a Twitter power user, asked followers if they wanted an edit button, cheekily misspelling “yes” as “yse” and “no” as “on.” More than 4 million people had voted as of Tuesday evening.
Musk also tweeted that he is looking forward to making “significant improvements to Twitter in coming months!”
Twitter’s vice president of consumer product, Jay Sullivan, tweeted Tuesday that an edit function has for years been Twitter’s most requested new feature, noting that people want to fix mistakes, typos, and “hot takes.”
Former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey had said that Twitter had considered an edit button, but in a January 2020 Q&A maintained that “we’ll probably never do it.” He noted that Twitter’s current setup keeps the spirit of its text-message origins — texts can’t be edited — and the confusion that could result from users making changes to a tweet that has already been heavily circulated by others. Dorsey stepped down as CEO in November 2021.
People who study Twitter also say adding an edit button would likely change the nature of Twitter, making it less valuable as a historical warehouse that stores official statements by politicians and other high-profile people. Twitter, for better or worse, “has become the de facto news wire,” said Jennifer Grygiel, a Syracuse University communications professor and an expert on social media who researches propaganda.
Tweets are often embedded in news stories, which could cause problems if the users edit important or controversial tweets without leaving evidence of the original statement. Grygiel suggested instead giving Twitter users a window of time to edit their tweets before they publish them.
Letting powerful Twitter users edit their tweets means they would not be historical statements anymore, Grygiel said. “We need to think about what the implications are, what these tweets are, who has power.”
The company acknowledged those concerns Tuesday evening when Sullivan tweeted: “Without things like time limits, controls, and transparency about what has been edited, Edit could be misused to alter the record of the public conversation. Protecting the integrity of that public conversation is our top priority when we approach this work.”
Musk, too, had said that a proposal for a post-publication edit window of a few minutes “ sounds reasonable.”
Musk is someone who could seemingly use an edit button. His tweet about taking Tesla private at $420 per share, when funding was not secured, led to a $40 million SEC settlement and a requirement that Musk’s tweets be approved by a corporate lawyer. Musk is still embroiled in a fight over that settlement.
Twitter had earlier seemed to be taking a tongue-in-cheek approach to Musk’s poll. Twitter’s CEO, Parag Agrawal, retweeted the pollwith a seeming reference to an earlier tweet by Musk, saying “The consequences of this poll will be important. Please vote carefully.” Musk had used the same language in a March tweet describing another of his polls that asked whether Twitter adheres to free speech principles. | 2 | 44,612 | 0 | https://www.wsav.com/news/technology/new-twitter-biggie-musk-may-have-thoughts-on-edit-button/ | 2022-04-06 01:18:30+00:00 | Twitter tweeted Tuesday that it is indeed working on a way for users to edit their 280-character messages, although it says the project has nothing to do with the fact that edit-function fan Elon Musk was just revealed as the company’s largest shareholder and now sits on its board.
Twitter said it will test the feature in its paid service, Twitter Blue, in the coming months. It said the test would help it “learn what works, what doesn’t, and what’s possible.” So it may be a while before most Twitter users get to use it, if they ever do. Twitter spokesperson Catherine Hill declined to say whether an edit feature might be rolled out for all users.
Many Twitter users — among them, Kim Kardashian, Ice T, Katy Perry and McDonald’s corporate account — have long begged for an edit button. The company itself recently teased users with an April Fool’s Day tweet saying “we are working on an edit button.” The official Twitter account said Tuesday that the April 1 tweet wasn’t a joke and that it has been working on it since last year.
Twitter also said it didn’t get the idea from a Twitter poll launched by Tesla CEO Musk Monday evening. Musk, himself a Twitter power user, asked followers if they wanted an edit button, cheekily misspelling “yes” as “yse” and “no” as “on.” More than 4 million people had voted as of Tuesday evening.
Musk also tweeted that he is looking forward to making “significant improvements to Twitter in coming months!”
Twitter’s vice president of consumer product, Jay Sullivan, tweeted Tuesday that an edit function has for years been Twitter’s most requested new feature, noting that people want to fix mistakes, typos, and “hot takes.”
Former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey had said that Twitter had considered an edit button, but in a January 2020 Q&A maintained that “we’ll probably never do it.” He noted that Twitter’s current setup keeps the spirit of its text-message origins — texts can’t be edited — and the confusion that could result from users making changes to a tweet that has already been heavily circulated by others. Dorsey stepped down as CEO in November 2021.
People who study Twitter also say adding an edit button would likely change the nature of Twitter, making it less valuable as a historical warehouse that stores official statements by politicians and other high-profile people. Twitter, for better or worse, “has become the de facto news wire,” said Jennifer Grygiel, a Syracuse University communications professor and an expert on social media who researches propaganda.
Tweets are often embedded in news stories, which could cause problems if the users edit important or controversial tweets without leaving evidence of the original statement. Grygiel suggested instead giving Twitter users a window of time to edit their tweets before they publish them.
Letting powerful Twitter users edit their tweets means they would not be historical statements anymore, Grygiel said. “We need to think about what the implications are, what these tweets are, who has power.”
The company acknowledged those concerns Tuesday evening when Sullivan tweeted: “Without things like time limits, controls, and transparency about what has been edited, Edit could be misused to alter the record of the public conversation. Protecting the integrity of that public conversation is our top priority when we approach this work.”
Musk, too, had said that a proposal for a post-publication edit window of a few minutes “ sounds reasonable.”
Musk is someone who could seemingly use an edit button. His tweet about taking Tesla private at $420 per share, when funding was not secured, led to a $40 million SEC settlement and a requirement that Musk’s tweets be approved by a corporate lawyer. Musk is still embroiled in a fight over that settlement.
Twitter had earlier seemed to be taking a tongue-in-cheek approach to Musk’s poll. Twitter’s CEO, Parag Agrawal, retweeted the pollwith a seeming reference to an earlier tweet by Musk, saying “The consequences of this poll will be important. Please vote carefully.” Musk had used the same language in a March tweet describing another of his polls that asked whether Twitter adheres to free speech principles. |
https://www.ctinsider.com/news/article/Former-Whitewater-chancellor-quit-over-free-17061156.php | MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater's former interim chancellor said he resigned over the UW System leader's decision to query students about free speech rights.
Jim Henderson abruptly resigned Monday, offering little explanation beyond that he felt he could no longer help recruit the best person to fill the position permanently. He told the Wisconsin State Journal for a story published Wednesday that he was upset over Interim System President Michael Falbo's decision to send out the survey after initially deciding that institutions wouldn't do it.
Henderson said chancellors raised concerns about the survey. He said he was worried students were tired of questionnaires and a free speech survey wasn't crucial at UW-Whitewater because students are exposed to a variety of voices. Falbo changed his mind because he was afraid of political fallout from Republican legislators concerned that campus leaders are working to stamp out conservative viewpoints, Henderson added.
UW-Stout's Menard Center for Public Policy and Service is conducting the survey. The center began in 2017 with a donation from the conservative Charles Koch Foundation. It was renamed the Menard Center after the Menards family, which founded the Menards store chain, donated $2.26 million to the center in 2019. The family is a major Republican donor.
Falbo told the State Journal that his stance on the survey changed last week after the center's director, Tim Shiell, told him that chancellors' concerns were based on incomplete information. Shiell said that the university board overseeing human research had approved the survey and the workload for schools would be limited to sending out emails.
“I acknowledge that some chancellors were disappointed in that decision, and it regrettably led to a resignation,” Falbo said in a statement.
Free speech has become a contentious issue on college campuses. Republicans have been pushing schools to crack down on students who disrupt conservative speakers and presentations. The GOP has maintained that liberal professors are indoctrinating students or making them feel uncomfortable about expressing conservative views.
UW System officials plan to email the survey to undergraduates at all 13 public universities on Thursday. Students have until May 6 to complete it. | 0 | 52,157 | 0 | https://www.nhregister.com/news/article/Former-Whitewater-chancellor-quit-over-free-17061156.php | 2022-04-06 14:36:41+00:00 | MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater's former interim chancellor said he resigned over the UW System leader's decision to query students about free speech rights.
Jim Henderson abruptly resigned Monday, offering little explanation beyond that he felt he could no longer help recruit the best person to fill the position permanently. He told the Wisconsin State Journal for a story published Wednesday that he was upset over Interim System President Michael Falbo's decision to send out the survey after initially deciding that institutions wouldn't do it.
Henderson said chancellors raised concerns about the survey. He said he was worried students were tired of questionnaires and a free speech survey wasn't crucial at UW-Whitewater because students are exposed to a variety of voices. Falbo changed his mind because he was afraid of political fallout from Republican legislators concerned that campus leaders are working to stamp out conservative viewpoints, Henderson added.
UW-Stout's Menard Center for Public Policy and Service is conducting the survey. The center began in 2017 with a donation from the conservative Charles Koch Foundation. It was renamed the Menard Center after the Menards family, which founded the Menards store chain, donated $2.26 million to the center in 2019. The family is a major Republican donor.
Falbo told the State Journal that his stance on the survey changed last week after the center's director, Tim Shiell, told him that chancellors' concerns were based on incomplete information. Shiell said that the university board overseeing human research had approved the survey and the workload for schools would be limited to sending out emails.
“I acknowledge that some chancellors were disappointed in that decision, and it regrettably led to a resignation,” Falbo said in a statement.
Free speech has become a contentious issue on college campuses. Republicans have been pushing schools to crack down on students who disrupt conservative speakers and presentations. The GOP has maintained that liberal professors are indoctrinating students or making them feel uncomfortable about expressing conservative views.
UW System officials plan to email the survey to undergraduates at all 13 public universities on Thursday. Students have until May 6 to complete it. |
https://www.ctinsider.com/news/article/Former-Whitewater-chancellor-quit-over-free-17061156.php | MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater's former interim chancellor said he resigned over the UW System leader's decision to query students about free speech rights.
Jim Henderson abruptly resigned Monday, offering little explanation beyond that he felt he could no longer help recruit the best person to fill the position permanently. He told the Wisconsin State Journal for a story published Wednesday that he was upset over Interim System President Michael Falbo's decision to send out the survey after initially deciding that institutions wouldn't do it.
Henderson said chancellors raised concerns about the survey. He said he was worried students were tired of questionnaires and a free speech survey wasn't crucial at UW-Whitewater because students are exposed to a variety of voices. Falbo changed his mind because he was afraid of political fallout from Republican legislators concerned that campus leaders are working to stamp out conservative viewpoints, Henderson added.
UW-Stout's Menard Center for Public Policy and Service is conducting the survey. The center began in 2017 with a donation from the conservative Charles Koch Foundation. It was renamed the Menard Center after the Menards family, which founded the Menards store chain, donated $2.26 million to the center in 2019. The family is a major Republican donor.
Falbo told the State Journal that his stance on the survey changed last week after the center's director, Tim Shiell, told him that chancellors' concerns were based on incomplete information. Shiell said that the university board overseeing human research had approved the survey and the workload for schools would be limited to sending out emails.
“I acknowledge that some chancellors were disappointed in that decision, and it regrettably led to a resignation,” Falbo said in a statement.
Free speech has become a contentious issue on college campuses. Republicans have been pushing schools to crack down on students who disrupt conservative speakers and presentations. The GOP has maintained that liberal professors are indoctrinating students or making them feel uncomfortable about expressing conservative views.
UW System officials plan to email the survey to undergraduates at all 13 public universities on Thursday. Students have until May 6 to complete it. | 1 | 54,269 | 0 | https://www.ourmidland.com/news/article/Former-Whitewater-chancellor-quit-over-free-17061156.php | 2022-04-06 14:45:03+00:00 | MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater's former interim chancellor said he resigned over the UW System leader's decision to query students about free speech rights.
Jim Henderson abruptly resigned Monday, offering little explanation beyond that he felt he could no longer help recruit the best person to fill the position permanently. He told the Wisconsin State Journal for a story published Wednesday that he was upset over Interim System President Michael Falbo's decision to send out the survey after initially deciding that institutions wouldn't do it.
Henderson said chancellors raised concerns about the survey. He said he was worried students were tired of questionnaires and a free speech survey wasn't crucial at UW-Whitewater because students are exposed to a variety of voices. Falbo changed his mind because he was afraid of political fallout from Republican legislators concerned that campus leaders are working to stamp out conservative viewpoints, Henderson added.
UW-Stout's Menard Center for Public Policy and Service is conducting the survey. The center began in 2017 with a donation from the conservative Charles Koch Foundation. It was renamed the Menard Center after the Menards family, which founded the Menards store chain, donated $2.26 million to the center in 2019. The family is a major Republican donor.
Falbo told the State Journal that his stance on the survey changed last week after the center's director, Tim Shiell, told him that chancellors' concerns were based on incomplete information. Shiell said that the university board overseeing human research had approved the survey and the workload for schools would be limited to sending out emails.
“I acknowledge that some chancellors were disappointed in that decision, and it regrettably led to a resignation,” Falbo said in a statement.
Free speech has become a contentious issue on college campuses. Republicans have been pushing schools to crack down on students who disrupt conservative speakers and presentations. The GOP has maintained that liberal professors are indoctrinating students or making them feel uncomfortable about expressing conservative views.
UW System officials plan to email the survey to undergraduates at all 13 public universities on Thursday. Students have until May 6 to complete it. |
https://www.ctinsider.com/news/article/Former-Whitewater-chancellor-quit-over-free-17061156.php | MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater's former interim chancellor said he resigned over the UW System leader's decision to query students about free speech rights.
Jim Henderson abruptly resigned Monday, offering little explanation beyond that he felt he could no longer help recruit the best person to fill the position permanently. He told the Wisconsin State Journal for a story published Wednesday that he was upset over Interim System President Michael Falbo's decision to send out the survey after initially deciding that institutions wouldn't do it.
Henderson said chancellors raised concerns about the survey. He said he was worried students were tired of questionnaires and a free speech survey wasn't crucial at UW-Whitewater because students are exposed to a variety of voices. Falbo changed his mind because he was afraid of political fallout from Republican legislators concerned that campus leaders are working to stamp out conservative viewpoints, Henderson added.
UW-Stout's Menard Center for Public Policy and Service is conducting the survey. The center began in 2017 with a donation from the conservative Charles Koch Foundation. It was renamed the Menard Center after the Menards family, which founded the Menards store chain, donated $2.26 million to the center in 2019. The family is a major Republican donor.
Falbo told the State Journal that his stance on the survey changed last week after the center's director, Tim Shiell, told him that chancellors' concerns were based on incomplete information. Shiell said that the university board overseeing human research had approved the survey and the workload for schools would be limited to sending out emails.
“I acknowledge that some chancellors were disappointed in that decision, and it regrettably led to a resignation,” Falbo said in a statement.
Free speech has become a contentious issue on college campuses. Republicans have been pushing schools to crack down on students who disrupt conservative speakers and presentations. The GOP has maintained that liberal professors are indoctrinating students or making them feel uncomfortable about expressing conservative views.
UW System officials plan to email the survey to undergraduates at all 13 public universities on Thursday. Students have until May 6 to complete it. | 2 | 37,656 | 0.031315 | https://m.startribune.com/former-whitewater-chancellor-quit-over-free-speech-survey/600162661/ | 2022-04-06 23:06:41+00:00 | MADISON, Wis. — The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater's former interim chancellor said he resigned over the UW System leader's decision to query students about free speech rights.
Jim Henderson abruptly resigned Monday, offering little explanation beyond that he felt he could no longer help recruit the best person to fill the position permanently. He told the Wisconsin State Journal for a story published Wednesday that he was upset over Interim System President Michael Falbo's decision to send out the survey after initially deciding that institutions wouldn't do it.
Henderson said chancellors raised concerns about the survey. He said he was worried students were tired of questionnaires and a free speech survey wasn't crucial at UW-Whitewater because students are exposed to a variety of voices. Falbo changed his mind because he was afraid of political fallout from Republican legislators concerned that campus leaders are working to stamp out conservative viewpoints, Henderson added.
UW-Stout's Menard Center for Public Policy and Service is conducting the survey. The center began in 2017 with a donation from the conservative Charles Koch Foundation. It was renamed the Menard Center after the Menards family, which founded the Menards store chain, donated $2.26 million to the center in 2019. The family is a major Republican donor.
Falbo told the State Journal that his stance on the survey changed last week after the center's director, Tim Shiell, told him that chancellors' concerns were based on incomplete information. Shiell said that the university board overseeing human research had approved the survey and the workload for schools would be limited to sending out emails.
"I acknowledge that some chancellors were disappointed in that decision, and it regrettably led to a resignation," Falbo said in a statement.
Free speech has become a contentious issue on college campuses. Republicans have been pushing schools to crack down on students who disrupt conservative speakers and presentations. The GOP has maintained that liberal professors are indoctrinating students or making them feel uncomfortable about expressing conservative views.
UW System officials plan to email the survey to undergraduates at all 13 public universities on Thursday. Students have until May 6 to complete it. |
https://www.wistv.com/prnewswire/2022/04/06/bluescape-achieves-dod-impact-level-5-authorization/ | Critical Security Standard Expands Access to Leading Online Whiteboard and Virtual Workspace Solution Across the U.S. Federal Government and Department of Defense
REDWOOD CITY, Calif., April 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Underscoring its commitment to the highest security standards, Bluescape announces its online whiteboard and virtual workspace has achieved an elite security designation for software providers: the Department of Defense (DoD) Impact Level 5 (IL5).
This unique authorization builds on the IL4 designation that Bluescape received in 2021 from the U.S. Navy, and makes Bluescape the only online whiteboard solution available to any mission owner or operator who works with Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). The IL5 authority to operate (ATO) was received from the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) and achieved in partnership with Bluescape's trusted federal integrator, Bridge Core (Bcore).
Under IL5, government agencies, contractors, and DoD users will enjoy expanded use of Bluescape's virtual workspace and collaboration tools with unprecedented access to the most sensitive unclassified data available. This will empower dispersed uniform and civilian personnel with a common operating picture to brainstorm, collaborate, and communicate seamlessly and adeptly in a secure, virtual workspace.
"We firmly believe you shouldn't have to sacrifice security for mission agility," said John Greenstein, GM of Federal at Bluescape. "We are honored to be a trusted DoD partner, and this important IL5 designation is the next step in our ongoing commitment to deliver the most secure online whiteboard and virtual workspace built for the unique collaboration needs of federal teams."
A proven solution within the most sensitive defense, intelligence, and national security environments, Bluescape also recently received the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) 'In Process' Designation, under sponsorship of the U.S. Air Force. In addition, the platform meets NIST 800-171 and NIST Cybersecurity Framework compliance and supports Microsoft 365 Government Community Cloud High deployments.
"Achieving IL5 will go a long way in ensuring our customers are not only secure but have real-time access to the critical information and collaboration tools they need to drive mission outcomes," said Mark Willis, CISO at Bluescape. "As a cybersecurity and military intelligence veteran, I know firsthand the importance of upholding 'security first' principles so service members, DoD employees, and government civilians can focus on collaboration and efficiency in defense of our nation."
As a U.S.-based company that protects all U.S. customer data here at home, Bluescape continues to align its security posture with the Executive Order on Improving the Nation's Cybersecurity and the Office of Management and Budget's zero trust strategy.
For more information, visit Bluescape.com/government.
About Bluescape
Bluescape is the mission-ready online whiteboard for high-value collaboration. Bluescape empowers distributed teams with easy-to-use tools to bring agility to complex processes — eliminating miscommunications, missed deadlines, and wasted time. Certified FedRAMP In Process, Bluescape is built for the security needs of the public sector. Customers include Fortune 100 companies and government agencies. Bluescape was founded in Silicon Valley in 2012. Visit Bluescape.com/government and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Bluescape Software | 0 | 46,395 | 0 | https://www.kwch.com/prnewswire/2022/04/06/bluescape-achieves-dod-impact-level-5-authorization/ | 2022-04-06 14:12:49+00:00 | Critical Security Standard Expands Access to Leading Online Whiteboard and Virtual Workspace Solution Across the U.S. Federal Government and Department of Defense
REDWOOD CITY, Calif., April 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Underscoring its commitment to the highest security standards, Bluescape announces its online whiteboard and virtual workspace has achieved an elite security designation for software providers: the Department of Defense (DoD) Impact Level 5 (IL5).
This unique authorization builds on the IL4 designation that Bluescape received in 2021 from the U.S. Navy, and makes Bluescape the only online whiteboard solution available to any mission owner or operator who works with Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). The IL5 authority to operate (ATO) was received from the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) and achieved in partnership with Bluescape's trusted federal integrator, Bridge Core (Bcore).
Under IL5, government agencies, contractors, and DoD users will enjoy expanded use of Bluescape's virtual workspace and collaboration tools with unprecedented access to the most sensitive unclassified data available. This will empower dispersed uniform and civilian personnel with a common operating picture to brainstorm, collaborate, and communicate seamlessly and adeptly in a secure, virtual workspace.
"We firmly believe you shouldn't have to sacrifice security for mission agility," said John Greenstein, GM of Federal at Bluescape. "We are honored to be a trusted DoD partner, and this important IL5 designation is the next step in our ongoing commitment to deliver the most secure online whiteboard and virtual workspace built for the unique collaboration needs of federal teams."
A proven solution within the most sensitive defense, intelligence, and national security environments, Bluescape also recently received the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) 'In Process' Designation, under sponsorship of the U.S. Air Force. In addition, the platform meets NIST 800-171 and NIST Cybersecurity Framework compliance and supports Microsoft 365 Government Community Cloud High deployments.
"Achieving IL5 will go a long way in ensuring our customers are not only secure but have real-time access to the critical information and collaboration tools they need to drive mission outcomes," said Mark Willis, CISO at Bluescape. "As a cybersecurity and military intelligence veteran, I know firsthand the importance of upholding 'security first' principles so service members, DoD employees, and government civilians can focus on collaboration and efficiency in defense of our nation."
As a U.S.-based company that protects all U.S. customer data here at home, Bluescape continues to align its security posture with the Executive Order on Improving the Nation's Cybersecurity and the Office of Management and Budget's zero trust strategy.
For more information, visit Bluescape.com/government.
About Bluescape
Bluescape is the mission-ready online whiteboard for high-value collaboration. Bluescape empowers distributed teams with easy-to-use tools to bring agility to complex processes — eliminating miscommunications, missed deadlines, and wasted time. Certified FedRAMP In Process, Bluescape is built for the security needs of the public sector. Customers include Fortune 100 companies and government agencies. Bluescape was founded in Silicon Valley in 2012. Visit Bluescape.com/government and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Bluescape Software |
https://www.wistv.com/prnewswire/2022/04/06/bluescape-achieves-dod-impact-level-5-authorization/ | Critical Security Standard Expands Access to Leading Online Whiteboard and Virtual Workspace Solution Across the U.S. Federal Government and Department of Defense
REDWOOD CITY, Calif., April 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Underscoring its commitment to the highest security standards, Bluescape announces its online whiteboard and virtual workspace has achieved an elite security designation for software providers: the Department of Defense (DoD) Impact Level 5 (IL5).
This unique authorization builds on the IL4 designation that Bluescape received in 2021 from the U.S. Navy, and makes Bluescape the only online whiteboard solution available to any mission owner or operator who works with Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). The IL5 authority to operate (ATO) was received from the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) and achieved in partnership with Bluescape's trusted federal integrator, Bridge Core (Bcore).
Under IL5, government agencies, contractors, and DoD users will enjoy expanded use of Bluescape's virtual workspace and collaboration tools with unprecedented access to the most sensitive unclassified data available. This will empower dispersed uniform and civilian personnel with a common operating picture to brainstorm, collaborate, and communicate seamlessly and adeptly in a secure, virtual workspace.
"We firmly believe you shouldn't have to sacrifice security for mission agility," said John Greenstein, GM of Federal at Bluescape. "We are honored to be a trusted DoD partner, and this important IL5 designation is the next step in our ongoing commitment to deliver the most secure online whiteboard and virtual workspace built for the unique collaboration needs of federal teams."
A proven solution within the most sensitive defense, intelligence, and national security environments, Bluescape also recently received the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) 'In Process' Designation, under sponsorship of the U.S. Air Force. In addition, the platform meets NIST 800-171 and NIST Cybersecurity Framework compliance and supports Microsoft 365 Government Community Cloud High deployments.
"Achieving IL5 will go a long way in ensuring our customers are not only secure but have real-time access to the critical information and collaboration tools they need to drive mission outcomes," said Mark Willis, CISO at Bluescape. "As a cybersecurity and military intelligence veteran, I know firsthand the importance of upholding 'security first' principles so service members, DoD employees, and government civilians can focus on collaboration and efficiency in defense of our nation."
As a U.S.-based company that protects all U.S. customer data here at home, Bluescape continues to align its security posture with the Executive Order on Improving the Nation's Cybersecurity and the Office of Management and Budget's zero trust strategy.
For more information, visit Bluescape.com/government.
About Bluescape
Bluescape is the mission-ready online whiteboard for high-value collaboration. Bluescape empowers distributed teams with easy-to-use tools to bring agility to complex processes — eliminating miscommunications, missed deadlines, and wasted time. Certified FedRAMP In Process, Bluescape is built for the security needs of the public sector. Customers include Fortune 100 companies and government agencies. Bluescape was founded in Silicon Valley in 2012. Visit Bluescape.com/government and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Bluescape Software | 1 | 51,989 | 0 | https://www.wsfa.com/prnewswire/2022/04/06/bluescape-achieves-dod-impact-level-5-authorization/ | 2022-04-06 14:36:02+00:00 | Critical Security Standard Expands Access to Leading Online Whiteboard and Virtual Workspace Solution Across the U.S. Federal Government and Department of Defense
REDWOOD CITY, Calif., April 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Underscoring its commitment to the highest security standards, Bluescape announces its online whiteboard and virtual workspace has achieved an elite security designation for software providers: the Department of Defense (DoD) Impact Level 5 (IL5).
This unique authorization builds on the IL4 designation that Bluescape received in 2021 from the U.S. Navy, and makes Bluescape the only online whiteboard solution available to any mission owner or operator who works with Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). The IL5 authority to operate (ATO) was received from the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) and achieved in partnership with Bluescape's trusted federal integrator, Bridge Core (Bcore).
Under IL5, government agencies, contractors, and DoD users will enjoy expanded use of Bluescape's virtual workspace and collaboration tools with unprecedented access to the most sensitive unclassified data available. This will empower dispersed uniform and civilian personnel with a common operating picture to brainstorm, collaborate, and communicate seamlessly and adeptly in a secure, virtual workspace.
"We firmly believe you shouldn't have to sacrifice security for mission agility," said John Greenstein, GM of Federal at Bluescape. "We are honored to be a trusted DoD partner, and this important IL5 designation is the next step in our ongoing commitment to deliver the most secure online whiteboard and virtual workspace built for the unique collaboration needs of federal teams."
A proven solution within the most sensitive defense, intelligence, and national security environments, Bluescape also recently received the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) 'In Process' Designation, under sponsorship of the U.S. Air Force. In addition, the platform meets NIST 800-171 and NIST Cybersecurity Framework compliance and supports Microsoft 365 Government Community Cloud High deployments.
"Achieving IL5 will go a long way in ensuring our customers are not only secure but have real-time access to the critical information and collaboration tools they need to drive mission outcomes," said Mark Willis, CISO at Bluescape. "As a cybersecurity and military intelligence veteran, I know firsthand the importance of upholding 'security first' principles so service members, DoD employees, and government civilians can focus on collaboration and efficiency in defense of our nation."
As a U.S.-based company that protects all U.S. customer data here at home, Bluescape continues to align its security posture with the Executive Order on Improving the Nation's Cybersecurity and the Office of Management and Budget's zero trust strategy.
For more information, visit Bluescape.com/government.
About Bluescape
Bluescape is the mission-ready online whiteboard for high-value collaboration. Bluescape empowers distributed teams with easy-to-use tools to bring agility to complex processes — eliminating miscommunications, missed deadlines, and wasted time. Certified FedRAMP In Process, Bluescape is built for the security needs of the public sector. Customers include Fortune 100 companies and government agencies. Bluescape was founded in Silicon Valley in 2012. Visit Bluescape.com/government and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Bluescape Software |
https://www.wistv.com/prnewswire/2022/04/06/bluescape-achieves-dod-impact-level-5-authorization/ | Critical Security Standard Expands Access to Leading Online Whiteboard and Virtual Workspace Solution Across the U.S. Federal Government and Department of Defense
REDWOOD CITY, Calif., April 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Underscoring its commitment to the highest security standards, Bluescape announces its online whiteboard and virtual workspace has achieved an elite security designation for software providers: the Department of Defense (DoD) Impact Level 5 (IL5).
This unique authorization builds on the IL4 designation that Bluescape received in 2021 from the U.S. Navy, and makes Bluescape the only online whiteboard solution available to any mission owner or operator who works with Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). The IL5 authority to operate (ATO) was received from the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) and achieved in partnership with Bluescape's trusted federal integrator, Bridge Core (Bcore).
Under IL5, government agencies, contractors, and DoD users will enjoy expanded use of Bluescape's virtual workspace and collaboration tools with unprecedented access to the most sensitive unclassified data available. This will empower dispersed uniform and civilian personnel with a common operating picture to brainstorm, collaborate, and communicate seamlessly and adeptly in a secure, virtual workspace.
"We firmly believe you shouldn't have to sacrifice security for mission agility," said John Greenstein, GM of Federal at Bluescape. "We are honored to be a trusted DoD partner, and this important IL5 designation is the next step in our ongoing commitment to deliver the most secure online whiteboard and virtual workspace built for the unique collaboration needs of federal teams."
A proven solution within the most sensitive defense, intelligence, and national security environments, Bluescape also recently received the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) 'In Process' Designation, under sponsorship of the U.S. Air Force. In addition, the platform meets NIST 800-171 and NIST Cybersecurity Framework compliance and supports Microsoft 365 Government Community Cloud High deployments.
"Achieving IL5 will go a long way in ensuring our customers are not only secure but have real-time access to the critical information and collaboration tools they need to drive mission outcomes," said Mark Willis, CISO at Bluescape. "As a cybersecurity and military intelligence veteran, I know firsthand the importance of upholding 'security first' principles so service members, DoD employees, and government civilians can focus on collaboration and efficiency in defense of our nation."
As a U.S.-based company that protects all U.S. customer data here at home, Bluescape continues to align its security posture with the Executive Order on Improving the Nation's Cybersecurity and the Office of Management and Budget's zero trust strategy.
For more information, visit Bluescape.com/government.
About Bluescape
Bluescape is the mission-ready online whiteboard for high-value collaboration. Bluescape empowers distributed teams with easy-to-use tools to bring agility to complex processes — eliminating miscommunications, missed deadlines, and wasted time. Certified FedRAMP In Process, Bluescape is built for the security needs of the public sector. Customers include Fortune 100 companies and government agencies. Bluescape was founded in Silicon Valley in 2012. Visit Bluescape.com/government and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Bluescape Software | 2 | 52,547 | 0 | https://www.wbtv.com/prnewswire/2022/04/06/bluescape-achieves-dod-impact-level-5-authorization/ | 2022-04-06 14:38:26+00:00 | Critical Security Standard Expands Access to Leading Online Whiteboard and Virtual Workspace Solution Across the U.S. Federal Government and Department of Defense
REDWOOD CITY, Calif., April 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Underscoring its commitment to the highest security standards, Bluescape announces its online whiteboard and virtual workspace has achieved an elite security designation for software providers: the Department of Defense (DoD) Impact Level 5 (IL5).
This unique authorization builds on the IL4 designation that Bluescape received in 2021 from the U.S. Navy, and makes Bluescape the only online whiteboard solution available to any mission owner or operator who works with Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). The IL5 authority to operate (ATO) was received from the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) and achieved in partnership with Bluescape's trusted federal integrator, Bridge Core (Bcore).
Under IL5, government agencies, contractors, and DoD users will enjoy expanded use of Bluescape's virtual workspace and collaboration tools with unprecedented access to the most sensitive unclassified data available. This will empower dispersed uniform and civilian personnel with a common operating picture to brainstorm, collaborate, and communicate seamlessly and adeptly in a secure, virtual workspace.
"We firmly believe you shouldn't have to sacrifice security for mission agility," said John Greenstein, GM of Federal at Bluescape. "We are honored to be a trusted DoD partner, and this important IL5 designation is the next step in our ongoing commitment to deliver the most secure online whiteboard and virtual workspace built for the unique collaboration needs of federal teams."
A proven solution within the most sensitive defense, intelligence, and national security environments, Bluescape also recently received the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) 'In Process' Designation, under sponsorship of the U.S. Air Force. In addition, the platform meets NIST 800-171 and NIST Cybersecurity Framework compliance and supports Microsoft 365 Government Community Cloud High deployments.
"Achieving IL5 will go a long way in ensuring our customers are not only secure but have real-time access to the critical information and collaboration tools they need to drive mission outcomes," said Mark Willis, CISO at Bluescape. "As a cybersecurity and military intelligence veteran, I know firsthand the importance of upholding 'security first' principles so service members, DoD employees, and government civilians can focus on collaboration and efficiency in defense of our nation."
As a U.S.-based company that protects all U.S. customer data here at home, Bluescape continues to align its security posture with the Executive Order on Improving the Nation's Cybersecurity and the Office of Management and Budget's zero trust strategy.
For more information, visit Bluescape.com/government.
About Bluescape
Bluescape is the mission-ready online whiteboard for high-value collaboration. Bluescape empowers distributed teams with easy-to-use tools to bring agility to complex processes — eliminating miscommunications, missed deadlines, and wasted time. Certified FedRAMP In Process, Bluescape is built for the security needs of the public sector. Customers include Fortune 100 companies and government agencies. Bluescape was founded in Silicon Valley in 2012. Visit Bluescape.com/government and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Bluescape Software |
https://news.sky.com/story/semina-halliwell-rape-victim-12-took-her-own-life-directly-after-police-interview-her-mother-tells-sky-news-12582931 | Semina Halliwell: Rape victim, 12, took her own life directly after police interview, her mother tells Sky News
The mother of Semina Halliwell, a girl with autism who alleged she was raped by a boy from her school, says she holds Merseyside Police accountable for their failures to investigate her complaints.
Wednesday 6 April 2022 15:37, UK
A 12-year-old rape victim took her own life directly after an interview with a police officer who had previously discouraged her from bringing forward a criminal complaint and subsequently failed to properly investigate it, her mother has told Sky News.
Semina Halliwell, who had autism, alleged she was raped by an older boy who attended the same school as her and had groomed her over Snapchat into secretly meeting him.
Her mother, Rachel Halliwell, contacted the police after Semina broke down and told her what had happened following a severe incident of self-harm.
But officers from Merseyside Police "made Semina feel like she was an inconvenience to them", according to two family members who were present during interviews, and no charges have been brought against the alleged perpetrator who Semina named.
Discouraged from making the complaint
Rachel, alongside Semina's aunt Clare Halliwell, said the lead detective "sat there and started talking about all the forms he'd have to fill in if she made the complaint and how long it would take him to fill those forms in".
The detective "said to Semina that, you know, basically, it's your word against his and do you really want this hanging over your head for 18 months, because it wouldn't go to court for 18 months to two years," said Clare.
Semina's autism had already made it a challenge for her to express herself to strangers, they added.
The family told Sky News that Merseyside Police did not inform Semina's school of the reported rape, despite assurances to the family that safeguarding would be in place. This meant she was forced to stay at home as she was not protected from coming into contact with the alleged perpetrator.
Harassment and witness intimidation
Following the initial interview, Semina and her family - including a sibling - were targeted in a campaign of online and offline bullying and witness intimidation, including several violent assaults, that the family believe were committed by associates of the alleged perpetrator and which they say Merseyside Police also failed to fully investigate.
"They said anyone going to the police are going to go get their heads kicked in. And that's exactly what happened. Semina was beaten up three times, videoed, her [sibling] was beaten up in school," said Rachel.
The family said that during this period only two girls were prosecuted for assaulting Semina. Other incidents were not fully investigated, they complained.
Rachel was also convicted of an assault which took place shortly after Semina named the alleged perpetrator. Sky News cannot identify the victim for legal reasons.
"Even though there were videos of [Semina] being beaten up on social media, the police did nothing about it. The officer, the detective, said 'Well, things have quietened down now, so if I go around it might kick off all over again'," Rachel added.
Final interview with police
Three months after the initial complaint was made, during another interview in the family's living room regarding the rape and harassment, Semina said "I've had enough of this" and went upstairs.
"I thought she just had enough of the police being here, the police doing nothing," was her mother's understanding at the time.
But Semina had gone to take the medication which would kill her, consuming well above the lethal dose of a toxic drug used to treat a chronic condition.
After the police had left, the family discovered the empty medicine packets and Semina was taken to hospital in an ambulance. Over the next few days she would be placed in an induced coma and suffered multiple organ failure before dying.
"It was horrific to watch my daughter pass away. It was terrible what she went through, three heart attacks, operations, they were going to amputate her legs, amputate her fingers," said Rachel.
"People seem to think that when you take an overdose you go to sleep and you die. No she didn't. She didn't at all. We had to watch her die, her body shut down first. No parent should go through that."
"We had the medical team sobbing around us," said Clare. "I remember [the consultant] coming to me and he was crying through his glasses and I don't remember how long they were there, I just remember that she was warm when I first touched her but then she went cold, she went cold, she started to go blue.
"Nobody said she died. Nobody told us. Nobody could say it."
Semina's grave was vandalised
The family was not left to grieve in peace.
"The day after her funeral, somebody put out on Snapchat - which was a fake account - £10,000 for somebody to video and trash Semina's grave. And two weeks later, it was [trashed]," they told Sky News.
The videos of Semina being bullied and violently attacked - videos showing her being dragged and pushed to the ground and punched and kicked by other girls - were sent at the family on social media following the funeral, as were messages celebrating Semina's death.
Her family say Merseyside Police consistently failed to properly investigate this harassment just as the force failed to properly investigate Semina's allegation of rape.
Harassment targeting the family
"We had Snapchat pictures, edited of her lying in a coffin, or decomposing, sent to us [from] fake accounts, and the police either couldn't or wouldn't do anything about it.
"The police did say if she had been murdered, then it would have been different because they could have triangulated the signals to the phone to prove that they were near people they suspected of doing it, but they couldn't do that because it wasn't a serious crime," Clare told Sky News.
"The police failings are absolutely disgusting," said Rachel, who blamed "the perpetrator, his family, Merseyside Police, and social services".
"Everybody who is paid to safeguard her let her down. Not one of them told her she was worth their time."
"We've been robbed of a massive piece of our family, and for the last nine and a half months we've been robbed of the ability to grieve that loss," said Clare.
Police issues with digital investigations
Rachel and Clare Halliwell contacted Sky News following our investigation into police failings in the case of Abdul Elahi, a prolific online sexual predator who targeted girls and vulnerable women.
More than a dozen victims had reported him to their local forces, but none of those reports were pursued until after Elahi was identified by the FBI investigating the blackmailing of a 15-year-old girl in the US.
Instead, according to multiple victims, British police gave them the impression that it was they who were to blame for being extorted into sending intimate images of themselves.
Officers also incorrectly told the girls and women that they could not obtain any evidence from the digital platforms Elahi had used to extort and blackmail them.
A study from the University of Suffolk in 2018 warned there was "an urgent need for training across police forces" - as fewer than a fifth of police force members knew how to collect evidence from technology companies.
Semina Halliwell's family said Merseyside Police responded similarly regarding the harassment of the family and Semina over Snapchat, and they do not believe the police sought any data from the company as evidence.
According to Rachel, the police "tried to justify their actions - or lack of them - by saying Semina wouldn't hand the phone over" and countered this by saying Semina had "offered her phone up several times".
Even then, seizing a victim's phone is not essential to the investigation of these crimes, as stated by national training materials seen by Sky News.
One training presentation from the College of Policing advises that "capturing a screenshot of a social media post regarding a hate crime may be sufficient to prove the offence. Seizure of the device may not necessarily be required".
In the case of Snapchat, although the content of messages is usually automatically deleted after 30 days, the company can retain metadata and potentially content if it receives a request to do so.
In its advice for law enforcement, Snap says it can also provide basic subscriber information - potentially including phone numbers and the IP addresses used to log in - as long as police provide a username.
According to Europol these two types of evidence are the most important information that investigators can collect during digital investigations, while content data is only the seventh most valuable.
Location data, as would have been established by the triangulation methods suggested by officers to Semina's family, was considered only the eighth most important type of data when investigating digital crimes.
Semina's phone was taken by Merseyside Police following her death and is still in the police's possession.
The family has requested that it be returned to them as it contains images and videos of Semina which are not available elsewhere.
Coroner to hold inquest in due course
A spokesperson for Snapchat was unable to confirm whether the app had received any requests for information from Merseyside Police in Semina's case.
They said: "This situation is devastating and our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time.
"Nothing is more important than the safety and wellbeing of our community. We strictly prohibit bullying, harassment and other types of unwanted contact."
"Our global law enforcement operations team supports police investigations, and we have the ability to preserve and provide content to the authorities when we receive requests for assistance," they added.
A spokesperson for Merseyside Police told Sky News it was "not appropriate" for the force "to comment on any of the substantive issues raised at this time, as we would not wish to prejudice the Coronial Investigation".
"However, we have, and are, co-operating fully with the coroner in this matter," the spokesperson added.
The force declined the opportunity to discuss any of the family's complaints with Sky News.
A spokesperson for the Home Office said: "This is a heartbreaking case and our thoughts are with Semina's family and loved ones.
"No woman or girl should live in fear of violence or sexual abuse and victims should never be denied the justice they deserve."
They added: "This is why we are committed to ensuring more perpetrators face the full force of the law and overhauling our response to rape including increased funding for victim support services.
"It is important that the coroner is given the space to reach their conclusions and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage."
The senior administrator at the Sefton, St Helens & Knowsley Coroner's Service told Sky News the initial inquiry was ongoing and a full inquest into Semina's death would be held in due course.
Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK | 0 | 28,590 | 0.388439 | https://kenyan-post.com/2022/04/rape-victim-12-killed-herself-after-police-discouraged-her-from-pressing-charges/ | 2022-04-08 23:11:25+00:00 | Friday, April 8, 2022 – A 12-year-old rape victim killed herself after police visited her home and discouraged her from pressing charges.
Semina Halliwell, from Southport, was allegedly raped by an older boy after being groomed over Snapchat before her death on June 12, 2021.
The schoolgirl broke down when informing her mother Rachel of the horrific ordeal following a self-harm incident.
However, family members have claimed she was told by detectives she would not “want this thing hanging over her head” as the case “wouldn’t go to court for 18 months to two years”, The Telegraph reports.
The family say Semina was “made to feel like she was an inconvenience” to Merseyside Police and no charges were brought against the alleged offender, whom she had named.
Semina’s mother, Rachel Halliwell, and aunt, Clare, said the lead detective investigating her allegations instead “sat there and started talking about all the forms he’d have to fill in if she made the complaint” and the length of time it would take him.
The detective is also said to have told the family that it would be “your word against his”, with relatives later telling Sky News that the police force did not inform her school of the alleged incident – despite assurances that safeguarding would be put in place.
Instead, the family says Semina was forced to stay at home in order to avoid coming into contact with the alleged offender.
Semina, who had autism and found it difficult to express herself to strangers, was subsequently subjected to online and offline abuse and violent assaults after reporting the incident.
Her family believes these assaults were carried out by associates of the alleged suspect and claim Merseyside Police failed to fully investigate the allegations.
Rachel said the family received threats they were “going to get their heads kicked in” if they approached police, with Semina later filmed while being assaulted at school.
But the family again claimed officers did nothing to probe the assaults.
Two girls were prosecuted for assault, while Semina’s mother was convicted of an offence after her daughter named the alleged offender.
In a later interview with police in the living room of the family home, three months after the initial allegations were raised, Semina said “I’ve had enough of this” and went upstairs.
Unknown to her family, she went upstairs to take her own life by lethal overdose.
Paramedics rushed to the scene after the family discovered empty medicine packets and Semina was taken to hospital.
She was placed into an induced coma, but suffered multiple organ failure and died.
Rachel said: “It was horrific to watch my daughter pass away. Everybody who is paid to safeguard her let her down. Not one of them told her she was worth their time.
“People seem to think that when you take an overdose you go to sleep and you die. No she didn’t. She didn’t at all. We had to watch her die, her body shut down first. No parent should go through that.”
After her death, the family endured further suffering when a video emerged on social media offering £10,000 to “trash” Semina’s grave.
And footage of her being bullied at school were also sent to her family around the time of her funeral.
It included edited pictures of Semina “lying in a coffin” sent from fake accounts, but the family says police did not adequately probe further allegations of harassment.
Rachel branded Merseyside Police “absolutely disgusting” and attributed her daughter’s death to the force, along with “the perpetrator, his family and social services”.
Semina’s phone, which the family claim is a key part of the investigation, is still in possession of the police.
The family has asked that it be returned as it contains pictures of Semina not available elsewhere.
A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said an inquest is currently being considered by Sefton, Knowsley and St Helens Coroner and it would not be appropriate to comment on the allegations until the inquest process is complete.
They added: “However, we have, and are, co-operating fully with the Coroner in this matter.” |
https://news.sky.com/story/semina-halliwell-rape-victim-12-took-her-own-life-directly-after-police-interview-her-mother-tells-sky-news-12582931 | Semina Halliwell: Rape victim, 12, took her own life directly after police interview, her mother tells Sky News
The mother of Semina Halliwell, a girl with autism who alleged she was raped by a boy from her school, says she holds Merseyside Police accountable for their failures to investigate her complaints.
Wednesday 6 April 2022 15:37, UK
A 12-year-old rape victim took her own life directly after an interview with a police officer who had previously discouraged her from bringing forward a criminal complaint and subsequently failed to properly investigate it, her mother has told Sky News.
Semina Halliwell, who had autism, alleged she was raped by an older boy who attended the same school as her and had groomed her over Snapchat into secretly meeting him.
Her mother, Rachel Halliwell, contacted the police after Semina broke down and told her what had happened following a severe incident of self-harm.
But officers from Merseyside Police "made Semina feel like she was an inconvenience to them", according to two family members who were present during interviews, and no charges have been brought against the alleged perpetrator who Semina named.
Discouraged from making the complaint
Rachel, alongside Semina's aunt Clare Halliwell, said the lead detective "sat there and started talking about all the forms he'd have to fill in if she made the complaint and how long it would take him to fill those forms in".
The detective "said to Semina that, you know, basically, it's your word against his and do you really want this hanging over your head for 18 months, because it wouldn't go to court for 18 months to two years," said Clare.
Semina's autism had already made it a challenge for her to express herself to strangers, they added.
The family told Sky News that Merseyside Police did not inform Semina's school of the reported rape, despite assurances to the family that safeguarding would be in place. This meant she was forced to stay at home as she was not protected from coming into contact with the alleged perpetrator.
Harassment and witness intimidation
Following the initial interview, Semina and her family - including a sibling - were targeted in a campaign of online and offline bullying and witness intimidation, including several violent assaults, that the family believe were committed by associates of the alleged perpetrator and which they say Merseyside Police also failed to fully investigate.
"They said anyone going to the police are going to go get their heads kicked in. And that's exactly what happened. Semina was beaten up three times, videoed, her [sibling] was beaten up in school," said Rachel.
The family said that during this period only two girls were prosecuted for assaulting Semina. Other incidents were not fully investigated, they complained.
Rachel was also convicted of an assault which took place shortly after Semina named the alleged perpetrator. Sky News cannot identify the victim for legal reasons.
"Even though there were videos of [Semina] being beaten up on social media, the police did nothing about it. The officer, the detective, said 'Well, things have quietened down now, so if I go around it might kick off all over again'," Rachel added.
Final interview with police
Three months after the initial complaint was made, during another interview in the family's living room regarding the rape and harassment, Semina said "I've had enough of this" and went upstairs.
"I thought she just had enough of the police being here, the police doing nothing," was her mother's understanding at the time.
But Semina had gone to take the medication which would kill her, consuming well above the lethal dose of a toxic drug used to treat a chronic condition.
After the police had left, the family discovered the empty medicine packets and Semina was taken to hospital in an ambulance. Over the next few days she would be placed in an induced coma and suffered multiple organ failure before dying.
"It was horrific to watch my daughter pass away. It was terrible what she went through, three heart attacks, operations, they were going to amputate her legs, amputate her fingers," said Rachel.
"People seem to think that when you take an overdose you go to sleep and you die. No she didn't. She didn't at all. We had to watch her die, her body shut down first. No parent should go through that."
"We had the medical team sobbing around us," said Clare. "I remember [the consultant] coming to me and he was crying through his glasses and I don't remember how long they were there, I just remember that she was warm when I first touched her but then she went cold, she went cold, she started to go blue.
"Nobody said she died. Nobody told us. Nobody could say it."
Semina's grave was vandalised
The family was not left to grieve in peace.
"The day after her funeral, somebody put out on Snapchat - which was a fake account - £10,000 for somebody to video and trash Semina's grave. And two weeks later, it was [trashed]," they told Sky News.
The videos of Semina being bullied and violently attacked - videos showing her being dragged and pushed to the ground and punched and kicked by other girls - were sent at the family on social media following the funeral, as were messages celebrating Semina's death.
Her family say Merseyside Police consistently failed to properly investigate this harassment just as the force failed to properly investigate Semina's allegation of rape.
Harassment targeting the family
"We had Snapchat pictures, edited of her lying in a coffin, or decomposing, sent to us [from] fake accounts, and the police either couldn't or wouldn't do anything about it.
"The police did say if she had been murdered, then it would have been different because they could have triangulated the signals to the phone to prove that they were near people they suspected of doing it, but they couldn't do that because it wasn't a serious crime," Clare told Sky News.
"The police failings are absolutely disgusting," said Rachel, who blamed "the perpetrator, his family, Merseyside Police, and social services".
"Everybody who is paid to safeguard her let her down. Not one of them told her she was worth their time."
"We've been robbed of a massive piece of our family, and for the last nine and a half months we've been robbed of the ability to grieve that loss," said Clare.
Police issues with digital investigations
Rachel and Clare Halliwell contacted Sky News following our investigation into police failings in the case of Abdul Elahi, a prolific online sexual predator who targeted girls and vulnerable women.
More than a dozen victims had reported him to their local forces, but none of those reports were pursued until after Elahi was identified by the FBI investigating the blackmailing of a 15-year-old girl in the US.
Instead, according to multiple victims, British police gave them the impression that it was they who were to blame for being extorted into sending intimate images of themselves.
Officers also incorrectly told the girls and women that they could not obtain any evidence from the digital platforms Elahi had used to extort and blackmail them.
A study from the University of Suffolk in 2018 warned there was "an urgent need for training across police forces" - as fewer than a fifth of police force members knew how to collect evidence from technology companies.
Semina Halliwell's family said Merseyside Police responded similarly regarding the harassment of the family and Semina over Snapchat, and they do not believe the police sought any data from the company as evidence.
According to Rachel, the police "tried to justify their actions - or lack of them - by saying Semina wouldn't hand the phone over" and countered this by saying Semina had "offered her phone up several times".
Even then, seizing a victim's phone is not essential to the investigation of these crimes, as stated by national training materials seen by Sky News.
One training presentation from the College of Policing advises that "capturing a screenshot of a social media post regarding a hate crime may be sufficient to prove the offence. Seizure of the device may not necessarily be required".
In the case of Snapchat, although the content of messages is usually automatically deleted after 30 days, the company can retain metadata and potentially content if it receives a request to do so.
In its advice for law enforcement, Snap says it can also provide basic subscriber information - potentially including phone numbers and the IP addresses used to log in - as long as police provide a username.
According to Europol these two types of evidence are the most important information that investigators can collect during digital investigations, while content data is only the seventh most valuable.
Location data, as would have been established by the triangulation methods suggested by officers to Semina's family, was considered only the eighth most important type of data when investigating digital crimes.
Semina's phone was taken by Merseyside Police following her death and is still in the police's possession.
The family has requested that it be returned to them as it contains images and videos of Semina which are not available elsewhere.
Coroner to hold inquest in due course
A spokesperson for Snapchat was unable to confirm whether the app had received any requests for information from Merseyside Police in Semina's case.
They said: "This situation is devastating and our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time.
"Nothing is more important than the safety and wellbeing of our community. We strictly prohibit bullying, harassment and other types of unwanted contact."
"Our global law enforcement operations team supports police investigations, and we have the ability to preserve and provide content to the authorities when we receive requests for assistance," they added.
A spokesperson for Merseyside Police told Sky News it was "not appropriate" for the force "to comment on any of the substantive issues raised at this time, as we would not wish to prejudice the Coronial Investigation".
"However, we have, and are, co-operating fully with the coroner in this matter," the spokesperson added.
The force declined the opportunity to discuss any of the family's complaints with Sky News.
A spokesperson for the Home Office said: "This is a heartbreaking case and our thoughts are with Semina's family and loved ones.
"No woman or girl should live in fear of violence or sexual abuse and victims should never be denied the justice they deserve."
They added: "This is why we are committed to ensuring more perpetrators face the full force of the law and overhauling our response to rape including increased funding for victim support services.
"It is important that the coroner is given the space to reach their conclusions and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage."
The senior administrator at the Sefton, St Helens & Knowsley Coroner's Service told Sky News the initial inquiry was ongoing and a full inquest into Semina's death would be held in due course.
Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK | 1 | 3,129 | 0.490339 | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10695191/Rape-victim-12-killed-police-came-discouraged-pressing-charges-family-says.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | 2022-04-07 10:24:40+00:00 | Rape victim, 12, killed herself after police discouraged her from pressing charges and made her feel ‘like she was an inconvenience,’ claims devastated family
- Semina Halliwell was allegedly raped by older boy after grooming over Snapchat
- But family say she was made to feel 'an inconvenience' after report to police
- They claim detectives discouraged her from pressing charges over the incident
- She said she'd 'had enough' before taking own life at family home in Southport
- Family slam police for failing to probe allegations of rape and harassment
- For confidential support, call the Samaritans on 116123, or visit their local branch
A 12-year-old rape victim killed herself after police came to her home and discouraged her from pressing charges, a devastated family has claimed, as they say she was made to feel 'like she was an inconvenience'.
Semina Halliwell, from Southport, was allegedly raped by an older boy after being groomed over Snapchat before her death on June 12 last year.
The schoolgirl broke down when informing her mother Rachel of the horrific ordeal following a self-harm incident.
However, family members have claimed she was told by detectives she would not 'want this thing hanging over her head' as the case 'wouldn't go to court for 18 months to two years', The Telegraph reports.
The family say Semina was 'made to feel like she was an inconvenience' to Merseyside Police and no charges were brought against the alleged offender - whom she had named.
Semina's mother and aunt, Clare, said the lead detective investigating her allegations instead 'sat there and started talking about all the forms he'd have to fill in if she made the complaint' and the length of time it would take him.
The detective is also said to have told the family that it would be 'your word against his', with relatives later telling Sky News that the force did not inform her school of the alleged incident - despite assurances that safeguarding would be put in place.
Semina Halliwell, from Southport, was allegedly raped by an older boy after being groomed over Snapchat before her death on June 12 last year
Semina's mother Rachel (right) and aunt Clare (left) told Sky News that Semina was 'made to feel like she was an inconvenience' by Merseyside Police
Rachel Halliwell, pictured with her daughter, says Semina was targeted by bullies before her death and her grave was subsequently desecrated
Rachel said the family received threats they were 'going to get their heads kicked in' if they approached police
Instead, the family say Semina was forced to stay at home in order to prevent coming into contact with the alleged offender.
Semina, who had autism, already found it difficult to express herself to strangers and was subsequently subjected to vitriolic online and offline abuse and violent assaults after reporting the incident.
Her family believe these offences were carried out by associates of the alleged suspect and claim Merseyside Police again failed to fully investigate the allegations.
Rachel said the family received threats they were 'going to get their heads kicked in' if they approached police, with Semina later filmed while being assaulted at school.
But the family again claimed officers did nothing to probe the assaults because 'going around might might make it kick off again'.
Two girls were prosecuted for assault, while Semina's mother was convicted of an offence after her daughter named the alleged offender.
In a later interview with police in the living room of the family home, three months after the initial allegations were raised, Semina said 'I've had enough of this' and went upstairs.
Her mother took that to mean she was fed up of dealing with the officers and the lack of progress being made in investigating her allegations.
But she went upstairs to take her own life by lethal overdose.
Paramedics rushed to the scene after the family discovered empty medicine packets and Semina was taken to hospital.
She was placed into an induced coma, but suffered multiple organ failure and died.
Rachel said: 'It was horrific to watch my daughter pass away. Everybody who is paid to safeguard her let her down. Not one of them told her she was worth their time.'
'People seem to think that when you take an overdose you go to sleep and you die. No she didn't. She didn't at all. We had to watch her die, her body shut down first. No parent should go through that.'
Semina's aunt Clare also recalled the medical team sobbing around the schoolgirl as they tried to save her life.
Semina died on June 12 last year after spending four days in hospital. Her mother alleges that the youngster was 'raped and bullied before taking her own life'
The funeral of Semina at St Patrick's Church in Southport last year. Her coffin was carried by a horse drawn carriage as mourners carried white roses
Following her death, they endured further suffering when a video emerged on social media offering £10,000 to 'trash' Semina's grave.
And footage of her being bullied at school were also directed at the family around the time of her funeral.
It included edited pictures of Semina 'lying in a coffin' sent from fake accounts, but the family say police did not adequately probe further allegations of harassment.
Rachel branded Merseyside Police 'absolutely disgusting' and attributed her death to the force, along with 'the perpetrator, his family and social services'.
Semina's phone, which the family claim is a key part of the investigation, is still in possession of the police.
The family have asked that it be returned as it contains pictures of Semina not available elsewhere.
A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said an inquest is currently being considered by Sefton, Knowsley and St Helens Coroner and it would not be appropriate to comment on the allegations until the inquest process is complete.
They added: 'However, we have, and are, co-operating fully with the Coroner in this matter.'
Snapchat said it is unable to confirm if the app received requests for information from detectives for Semina's case.
A statement added: 'This situation is devastating and our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time.
'Nothing is more important than the safety and wellbeing of our community. We strictly prohibit bullying, harassment and other types of unwanted contact.”
'Our global law enforcement operations team supports police investigations, and we have the ability to preserve and provide content to the authorities when we receive requests for assistance.'
An inquest will be held in due course.
For confidential support call the Samaritans in the UK on 08457 90 90 90, visit a local Samaritans branch or click here for details. |
https://news.sky.com/story/semina-halliwell-rape-victim-12-took-her-own-life-directly-after-police-interview-her-mother-tells-sky-news-12582931 | Semina Halliwell: Rape victim, 12, took her own life directly after police interview, her mother tells Sky News
The mother of Semina Halliwell, a girl with autism who alleged she was raped by a boy from her school, says she holds Merseyside Police accountable for their failures to investigate her complaints.
Wednesday 6 April 2022 15:37, UK
A 12-year-old rape victim took her own life directly after an interview with a police officer who had previously discouraged her from bringing forward a criminal complaint and subsequently failed to properly investigate it, her mother has told Sky News.
Semina Halliwell, who had autism, alleged she was raped by an older boy who attended the same school as her and had groomed her over Snapchat into secretly meeting him.
Her mother, Rachel Halliwell, contacted the police after Semina broke down and told her what had happened following a severe incident of self-harm.
But officers from Merseyside Police "made Semina feel like she was an inconvenience to them", according to two family members who were present during interviews, and no charges have been brought against the alleged perpetrator who Semina named.
Discouraged from making the complaint
Rachel, alongside Semina's aunt Clare Halliwell, said the lead detective "sat there and started talking about all the forms he'd have to fill in if she made the complaint and how long it would take him to fill those forms in".
The detective "said to Semina that, you know, basically, it's your word against his and do you really want this hanging over your head for 18 months, because it wouldn't go to court for 18 months to two years," said Clare.
Semina's autism had already made it a challenge for her to express herself to strangers, they added.
The family told Sky News that Merseyside Police did not inform Semina's school of the reported rape, despite assurances to the family that safeguarding would be in place. This meant she was forced to stay at home as she was not protected from coming into contact with the alleged perpetrator.
Harassment and witness intimidation
Following the initial interview, Semina and her family - including a sibling - were targeted in a campaign of online and offline bullying and witness intimidation, including several violent assaults, that the family believe were committed by associates of the alleged perpetrator and which they say Merseyside Police also failed to fully investigate.
"They said anyone going to the police are going to go get their heads kicked in. And that's exactly what happened. Semina was beaten up three times, videoed, her [sibling] was beaten up in school," said Rachel.
The family said that during this period only two girls were prosecuted for assaulting Semina. Other incidents were not fully investigated, they complained.
Rachel was also convicted of an assault which took place shortly after Semina named the alleged perpetrator. Sky News cannot identify the victim for legal reasons.
"Even though there were videos of [Semina] being beaten up on social media, the police did nothing about it. The officer, the detective, said 'Well, things have quietened down now, so if I go around it might kick off all over again'," Rachel added.
Final interview with police
Three months after the initial complaint was made, during another interview in the family's living room regarding the rape and harassment, Semina said "I've had enough of this" and went upstairs.
"I thought she just had enough of the police being here, the police doing nothing," was her mother's understanding at the time.
But Semina had gone to take the medication which would kill her, consuming well above the lethal dose of a toxic drug used to treat a chronic condition.
After the police had left, the family discovered the empty medicine packets and Semina was taken to hospital in an ambulance. Over the next few days she would be placed in an induced coma and suffered multiple organ failure before dying.
"It was horrific to watch my daughter pass away. It was terrible what she went through, three heart attacks, operations, they were going to amputate her legs, amputate her fingers," said Rachel.
"People seem to think that when you take an overdose you go to sleep and you die. No she didn't. She didn't at all. We had to watch her die, her body shut down first. No parent should go through that."
"We had the medical team sobbing around us," said Clare. "I remember [the consultant] coming to me and he was crying through his glasses and I don't remember how long they were there, I just remember that she was warm when I first touched her but then she went cold, she went cold, she started to go blue.
"Nobody said she died. Nobody told us. Nobody could say it."
Semina's grave was vandalised
The family was not left to grieve in peace.
"The day after her funeral, somebody put out on Snapchat - which was a fake account - £10,000 for somebody to video and trash Semina's grave. And two weeks later, it was [trashed]," they told Sky News.
The videos of Semina being bullied and violently attacked - videos showing her being dragged and pushed to the ground and punched and kicked by other girls - were sent at the family on social media following the funeral, as were messages celebrating Semina's death.
Her family say Merseyside Police consistently failed to properly investigate this harassment just as the force failed to properly investigate Semina's allegation of rape.
Harassment targeting the family
"We had Snapchat pictures, edited of her lying in a coffin, or decomposing, sent to us [from] fake accounts, and the police either couldn't or wouldn't do anything about it.
"The police did say if she had been murdered, then it would have been different because they could have triangulated the signals to the phone to prove that they were near people they suspected of doing it, but they couldn't do that because it wasn't a serious crime," Clare told Sky News.
"The police failings are absolutely disgusting," said Rachel, who blamed "the perpetrator, his family, Merseyside Police, and social services".
"Everybody who is paid to safeguard her let her down. Not one of them told her she was worth their time."
"We've been robbed of a massive piece of our family, and for the last nine and a half months we've been robbed of the ability to grieve that loss," said Clare.
Police issues with digital investigations
Rachel and Clare Halliwell contacted Sky News following our investigation into police failings in the case of Abdul Elahi, a prolific online sexual predator who targeted girls and vulnerable women.
More than a dozen victims had reported him to their local forces, but none of those reports were pursued until after Elahi was identified by the FBI investigating the blackmailing of a 15-year-old girl in the US.
Instead, according to multiple victims, British police gave them the impression that it was they who were to blame for being extorted into sending intimate images of themselves.
Officers also incorrectly told the girls and women that they could not obtain any evidence from the digital platforms Elahi had used to extort and blackmail them.
A study from the University of Suffolk in 2018 warned there was "an urgent need for training across police forces" - as fewer than a fifth of police force members knew how to collect evidence from technology companies.
Semina Halliwell's family said Merseyside Police responded similarly regarding the harassment of the family and Semina over Snapchat, and they do not believe the police sought any data from the company as evidence.
According to Rachel, the police "tried to justify their actions - or lack of them - by saying Semina wouldn't hand the phone over" and countered this by saying Semina had "offered her phone up several times".
Even then, seizing a victim's phone is not essential to the investigation of these crimes, as stated by national training materials seen by Sky News.
One training presentation from the College of Policing advises that "capturing a screenshot of a social media post regarding a hate crime may be sufficient to prove the offence. Seizure of the device may not necessarily be required".
In the case of Snapchat, although the content of messages is usually automatically deleted after 30 days, the company can retain metadata and potentially content if it receives a request to do so.
In its advice for law enforcement, Snap says it can also provide basic subscriber information - potentially including phone numbers and the IP addresses used to log in - as long as police provide a username.
According to Europol these two types of evidence are the most important information that investigators can collect during digital investigations, while content data is only the seventh most valuable.
Location data, as would have been established by the triangulation methods suggested by officers to Semina's family, was considered only the eighth most important type of data when investigating digital crimes.
Semina's phone was taken by Merseyside Police following her death and is still in the police's possession.
The family has requested that it be returned to them as it contains images and videos of Semina which are not available elsewhere.
Coroner to hold inquest in due course
A spokesperson for Snapchat was unable to confirm whether the app had received any requests for information from Merseyside Police in Semina's case.
They said: "This situation is devastating and our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time.
"Nothing is more important than the safety and wellbeing of our community. We strictly prohibit bullying, harassment and other types of unwanted contact."
"Our global law enforcement operations team supports police investigations, and we have the ability to preserve and provide content to the authorities when we receive requests for assistance," they added.
A spokesperson for Merseyside Police told Sky News it was "not appropriate" for the force "to comment on any of the substantive issues raised at this time, as we would not wish to prejudice the Coronial Investigation".
"However, we have, and are, co-operating fully with the coroner in this matter," the spokesperson added.
The force declined the opportunity to discuss any of the family's complaints with Sky News.
A spokesperson for the Home Office said: "This is a heartbreaking case and our thoughts are with Semina's family and loved ones.
"No woman or girl should live in fear of violence or sexual abuse and victims should never be denied the justice they deserve."
They added: "This is why we are committed to ensuring more perpetrators face the full force of the law and overhauling our response to rape including increased funding for victim support services.
"It is important that the coroner is given the space to reach their conclusions and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage."
The senior administrator at the Sefton, St Helens & Knowsley Coroner's Service told Sky News the initial inquiry was ongoing and a full inquest into Semina's death would be held in due course.
Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK | 2 | 83,634 | 0.527847 | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10714825/Semina-Halliwell-Family-release-picture-schoolgirl-took-life-raped.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | 2022-04-13 15:05:10+00:00 | Mother releases final photo of her autistic 'rape' victim daughter, 12, taken just days before she died from lethal overdose after police discouraged her from pressing charges
- Semina Halliwell was allegedly raped by older boy after grooming over Snapchat
- But family say she was made to feel 'an inconvenience' after report to police
- They claim detectives discouraged her from pressing charges over the incident
- She said she'd 'had enough' before taking own life at family home in Southport
- Family slam police for failing to probe allegations of rape and harassment
- For confidential support, call the Samaritans on 116123, or visit their local branch
The mother of a schoolgirl who killed herself after police discouraged her from pressing rape charges has released her daughter's heartbreaking last photograph.
Semina Halliwell, 12, from Southport, Merseyside, was allegedly raped by an older boy after being groomed over Snapchat before her death on June 12 last year.
The Year 7 pupil, who had autism, broke down when informing her mother Rachel of the horrific ordeal following a self-harm incident.
However, family members have claimed she was told by detectives she would not 'want this thing hanging over her head' as her case 'wouldn't go to court for 18 months to two years'.
Rachel has since shared the last picture of Semina days before she passed away as she sat propped up in a hospital bed with bruising and cuts around her face.
This is the last picture of schoolgirl Semina Halliwell, from Southport, who took her life after she was allegedly raped by an older boy after being groomed over Snapchat
Semina's mother Rachel (right) and aunt Clare (left) told Sky News that Semina was 'made to feel like she was an inconvenience' by Merseyside Police
Rachel Halliwell, pictured with her daughter, says Semina was targeted by bullies before her death and her grave was subsequently desecrated
Rachel said the family received threats they were 'going to get their heads kicked in' if they approached police
The family say Semina was 'made to feel like she was an inconvenience' to Merseyside Police and no charges were brought against the alleged offender - whom she had named.
Semina's mother and aunt, Clare, said the lead detective investigating her allegations instead 'sat there and started talking about all the forms he'd have to fill in if she made the complaint' and the length of time it would take him.
The detective is also said to have told the family that it would be 'your word against his', with relatives later telling Sky News that the force did not inform her school of the alleged incident - despite assurances that safeguarding would be put in place.
Instead, the family say Semina was forced to stay at home in order to prevent coming into contact with the alleged offender.
Semina already found it difficult to express herself to strangers and was subjected to vitriolic abuse and violent assaults after reporting the incident.
Her family believe these offences were carried out by associates of the alleged suspect and claim Merseyside Police again failed to fully investigate the allegations.
Rachel said the family received threats they were 'going to get their heads kicked in' if they approached police, with Semina later filmed while being assaulted at school.
But the family again claimed officers did nothing to probe the assaults because 'going around might might make it kick off again'.
Two girls were prosecuted for assault, while Semina's mother was convicted of an offence after her daughter named the alleged offender.
In a later interview with police in the living room of the family home, three months after the initial allegations were raised, Semina said 'I've had enough of this' and went upstairs.
Her mother took that to mean she was fed up of dealing with the officers and the lack of progress being made in investigating her allegations.
But she went upstairs to take her own life by lethal overdose.
Paramedics rushed to the scene after the family discovered empty medicine packets and Semina was taken to hospital.
She was placed into an induced coma, but suffered multiple organ failure and four heart attacks before dying on June 12.
Rachel said: 'It was horrific to watch my daughter pass away. Everybody who is paid to safeguard her let her down. Not one of them told her she was worth their time.'
'People seem to think that when you take an overdose you go to sleep and you die. No she didn't. She didn't at all. We had to watch her die, her body shut down first. No parent should go through that.'
Semina's aunt Clare also recalled the medical team sobbing around the schoolgirl as they tried to save her life.
Semina died on June 12 last year after spending four days in hospital. Her mother alleges that the youngster was 'raped and bullied before taking her own life'
The funeral of Semina at St Patrick's Church in Southport last year. Her coffin was carried by a horse drawn carriage as mourners carried white roses
Following her death, they endured further suffering when a video emerged on social media offering £10,000 to 'trash' Semina's grave.
And footage of her being bullied at school was also directed at the family around the time of her funeral.
It included edited pictures of Semina 'lying in a coffin' sent from fake accounts, but the family say police did not adequately probe further allegations of harassment.
Rachel branded Merseyside Police 'absolutely disgusting' and attributed her death to the force, along with 'the perpetrator, his family and social services'.
Semina's phone, which the family claim is a key part of the investigation, is still in possession of the police.
The family have asked that it be returned as it contains pictures of Semina not available elsewhere.
A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said an inquest is currently being considered by Sefton, Knowsley and St Helens Coroner and it would not be appropriate to comment on the allegations until the inquest process is complete.
They added: 'However, we have, and are, co-operating fully with the Coroner in this matter.'
Snapchat said it is unable to confirm if the app received requests for information from detectives for Semina's case.
A statement added: 'This situation is devastating and our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time.
'Nothing is more important than the safety and wellbeing of our community. We strictly prohibit bullying, harassment and other types of unwanted contact.'
'Our global law enforcement operations team supports police investigations, and we have the ability to preserve and provide content to the authorities when we receive requests for assistance.'
An inquest will be held in due course.
For confidential support call the Samaritans in the UK on 08457 90 90 90, visit a local Samaritans branch or click here for details. |
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10692221/Biden-set-sanction-Putins-DAUGHTERS-new-wave-measures.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ito=1490&ns_campaign=1490 | Biden sanctions Putin's two adult DAUGHTERS, members of Lavrov's family and two Russian banks in move to send them 'back to Soviet-style living standards from the 1980s' after latest horrors in Bucha
- The U.S. is announcing new economic sanctions this week
- Biden indicated they were coming Monday, calling Putin a 'war criminal'
- They are expected to target Putin's two daughters by ex-wife Lyudmila Putina
- Maria Vorontsova is an endocrinologist; Katerina Tikhonova is a gymnast with a university position
- US and Spanish officials seized a mega yacht belonging to oligarch who is friends with Putin
- Officials say they hope sanctions will pressure Putin to change course
- Ukrainian President Zelensky spoke to UN Security Council Tuesday and described murdered civilians in the streets of Bucha and other areas
- U.S. also imposing full blocking sanctions on Sberbank, Russia's largest bank
- Economic advisor Brian Deese said inflation in Russia is running at 2 per cent a WEEK
Gruesome reports of civilian murders in the Ukrainian town of Bucha amid Russia's ongoing attacks on Ukraine have prompted U.S. and European officials to target Russian President Vladimir Putin's daughters in the latest round of economic sanctions.
The pressure campaign comes on top of a series of sets of economic sanctions that U.S. officials say have knocked back years of growth in the Russian economy – with the hope that the consequences will force Putin to change course.
This time, U.S. and European Union officials are eyeing Putin's two daughters, Maria Vorontsova and Katerina Tikhonova.
They are the children of Putin and his first wife, Lyudmila Putina, a former Aeroflat flight attendant. The Kremlin announced she and Putin were divorcing in 2013.
'We have we have reason to believe that many of his cronies and the oligarchs hide their wealth – hide their assets with family members that place their assets and their wealth in the US financial system,' a senior administration official told reporters on Wednesday. 'We believe that many of Putin’s assets are hidden with family members and that’s why we’re targeting them.'
The administration announced the rollout of sanctions this morning. The move follows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's chilling speech to the UN Security Council about killings of Ukrainian civilians who have been found in the street, shot with their arms bound behind their backs.
Katerina Tikhonova, deputy director of the Institute for Mathematical Research of Complex Systems at Moscow State University, daughter of Russian President Vladimir Putin. U.S. and European sanctions are expected to go after Putin family members
Officials are already seeking to get at Putin by sanctioning oligarchs, and seizing trophy properties – including the seizure days ago of Tango, a 254-foot luxury yacht owned by oligarch and Putin friend Viktor Vekselberg.
The U.S. also imposing full blocking sanctions on Sberbank, Russia's largest bank. The senior administration official called it the 'main artery in the Russian financial system,' handling lending for about one third of its assets, totaling $500 billion.
The sanctions mean that any transaction with any currency involving a U.S. person or institution is prohibited, and any assets that come in contact with the U.S. financial system are frozen. The administration expects other nations to follow on with the U.S. sanctions.
'This is the most severe action we can take in terms of financial measures,' said the official.
Putin keeps a notoriously tight lid on his family life.
Maria Vorontsova, 36, was born when the Russian president was a KGB spy. She is a doctor of Endocrinology and is a top researcher at a medical facility in Russia, specializing in rare childhood genetic diseases.
Tikhonova is a gymnast was was married to billionaire Kirill Shamalov, who Reuters reported was a senior shareholder in Bank Rossiya. The 2015 report estimated their joint holdings at $2 billion, with a villa in Biarritz, France. She holds a senior role at Moscow State University, and has inked documents for development projects for the school.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, asked about the coming sanctions Tuesday, said only that they would target 'family members' of 'Russian government officials.'
Katerina Tikhonova, who has never been officially confirmed as Putin's daughter, is in charge of key investments at Moscow State University. She is a gymnast was was married to billionaire Kirill Shamalov
President Joe Biden has called Vladimir Putin a 'war criminal'
Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine. Ukrainian officials have spoken about horrors they have uncovered after the Ukrainian military pushed back Russian forces from their positions
The Wall Street Journal reported that US and EU sanctions would go after Putin's daughters, without certainty about which family members would come under sanction.
Page Six reported in March that Putin's mistress Alina Kabaeva was alleged to be in hiding in Switzerland with the couple's four young children – information that the Kremlin has not confirmed.
Kabaeva is a former Olympic Gold medalist in rhythmic gymnastics.
Biden said Monday he was seeking additional sanctions, as reports came in about attrocities in Bucha.
'You may remember I was criticized for calling Putin a war criminal,' he said. 'Well, the truth of the matter, you saw what happened in Bucha. This warrants him — he is a war criminal.'
'Most estimates are the Russian economy is now, you know, on track to contract by 10 to 15% over the course of this year, which would be which would be historic,' said White House economic official Brian Deese at a Christian Science Monitor breakfast with reporters Wednesday.
'If you track weekly inflation in Russia for the last four weeks, it's been running at roughly 2% a week. So we've all gotten used to monthly inflation data, but 2% a week is like roughly 200% a year,' Deese said. 'We don't expect there to be 200% inflation in Russia because we expect that to level off.' But he added that is indicative of the 'extent of the economic challenge that's operating on the ground in Russia.'
The sanctions are meant in part to undue the 'social contract' that Putin has with the Russian people, offering stability and financial security in exchange for his unrivaled power, the administration official said.
'The sad reality is Putin's war will make it harder for Russians to travel abroad, means their debit cards may not work. They may only have the option to buy knockoff phones, and knock off clothes. The shelves of stores may be empty. The reality is the country's economic and financial, and technological isolation and at this rate it will go back to Soviet-style standards from the 1980s.' | 0 | 126,778 | 0.366862 | https://www.newsbreak.com/news/2564663771683/putin-s-daughters-targeted-in-new-round-of-us-economic-sanctions-on-russia | 2022-04-07 19:22:25+00:00 | Putin's daughters targeted in new round of US economic sanctions on Russia
WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden's administration imposed sweeping new economic sanctions Wednesday on Russia that include targeting President Vladimir Putin’s two adult daughters in response to atrocities in Ukraine that the White House called war crimes.
Maria Vorontsova and Katerina Tikhonova, daughters of Putin and his ex-wife, Lyudmila Shkrebneva Putina, face sanctions that will cut them off from the U.S. financial system and freeze any assets they may hold in the USA.
The new round of sanctions, which bans U.S. investment in Russia and hits Russia's largest bank and financial institution, follows disturbing reports and images of civilian deaths in the Ukrainian town of Bucha near the capital of Kyiv. The moves continue Biden's strategy of steadily ramping up sanctions as Russia's war in Ukraine escalates.
"There's nothing less happening than major war crimes," Biden said Wednesday, describing scenes of bodies left in the streets of Bucha, including civilians executed with their hands tied behind their heads.
“Responsible nations have to come together to hold these perpetrators accountable. And together with our allies and our partners, we’re going to keep raising the economic costs and ratchet up the pain for Putin, and further increase Russia’s economic isolation," Biden said during his address to labor union members in Washington gathered for the North America’s Building Trades Unions Legislative Conference.
The sanctions were made in coordination with the Group of Seven nations and European Union allies, which were likely to take similar sanctions.
U.S. authorities suspect many of Putin’s assets are hidden with family members. Vorontsova leads state-funded programs focused on genetics research that are personally overseen by Putin, and Tikhonova is a tech executive whose work supports the Russia defense industry. The sanctions also target the wife and daughter of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
Twenty-one members of the Russian Security Council and other Putin associates have been sanctioned, in addition to the 140 oligarchs and Kremlin officials – including Putin and Lavrov – targeted since Russia invaded Ukraine. Dmitry Medvedev, former president and prime minister of Russia, and Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin are among the newly sanctioned elites.
"Think about the incredible amounts of money these oligarchs have stolen," Biden said, adding that they won't be able to keep their "$100 million yachts" and luxury homes "while children in Ukraine are being killed, displaced from their homes every single day."
LIVE UPDATES: US sanctions target Putin's daughters; Russians retreat from Kyiv; Dutch seize 14 Russian yachts
The Biden administration is imposing sanctions on Russia’s largest financial institution, Sberbank, 42 of its subsidiaries and Russia’s largest private bank, Alfa Bank, and six of its subsidiaries. The White House called the moves “the most severe financial sanctions” the United States can take on these entities. Biden banned the U.S. import of all Russian energy products last month.
The actions will freeze any of Sberbank's and Alfa Bank's assets touching the U.S. financial system and prohibit Americans from doing business with either. Sberbank holds nearly one-third of the overall Russian banking sector’s assets, and Alfa Bank is Russia’s fourth-largest financial institution.
Biden signed an executive order that will prohibit investment in Russia by U.S. citizens – regardless where they live – in a bid to further isolate Russia from the global economy. More than 600 multinational companies have removed business operations or investment out of Russia.
Biden said the investment ban will ensure "new money can't come into Russia to replace what's left."
Other sanctions prohibit Russia from making debt payments with funds subject to U.S. jurisdiction, a move White House press secretary Jen Psaki said presents Putin with a difficult "choice" between draining Russia's limited funds or default.
Psaki said the sanctions are designed to make it more difficult for Putin to fund the war in Ukraine, "and we're seeing the direct impacts of that already."
In coordination with the U.S. actions, the United Kingdom announced a full asset freeze against Sberbank and Credit Bank of Moscow, a ban on Russia investment and targeted investments on eight Russian oligarchs and Putin associates.
US indicts Russian oligarch for sanction violations
The actions come amid revelations into atrocities committed against Ukrainian citizens.
Vadym Boychenko, mayor of the encircled eastern Ukrainian city of Mariupol, said more than 5,000 civilians, including 210 children, have been killed during the monthlong Russian siege. He said Russian forces bombed hospitals, including one where 50 people burned to death, and destroyed more than 90% of the southern port city’s infrastructure.
"The world has not seen the scale of the tragedy in Mariupol since the existence of the Nazi concentration camps. Russia-occupation forces turned our entire city into a death camp," Boychenko said, according to the Ukrainian news agency Interfax. "This is the new Auschwitz and Majdanek."
Biden touted the effectiveness of U.S. sanctions on Russia, pointing to projections that Russia’s gross domestic product will shrink by “double-digits” this year. He said sanctions “wiped out the last 15 years of Russia’s economic gains” and cut off the country from importing critical technology such as semiconductors.
“We’re going to stifle Russia’s ability to grow its economy for years to come,” Biden said.
The Justice Department took separate actions Wednesday aimed at a top Russian oligarch, unsealing an indictment against Konstantinos Malofeyev for alleged sanction violations. The Treasury Department identified Malofeyev as one of the main sources of financing for Russians promoting separatism in Crimea and for providing material support for the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic, a separatist region in Ukraine.
“After being sanctioned by the United States, Malofeyev attempted to evade the sanctions by using co-conspirators to surreptitiously acquire and run media outlets across Europe,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said at a briefing.
Garland announced the seizure of millions of dollars from an account at a U.S. financial institution, which the indictment alleges constitutes proceeds traceable to Malofeyev’s sanction violations.
U.S. authorities disrupted a global botnet controlled by the Russian military intelligence agency – commonly known as the GRU – aimed at infecting Ukrainian networks, according to the Justice Department.
Justice Department takes role in possible war crimes trial
FBI Director Christopher Wray said the cyber disruption disabled Russia’s intended actions against “thousands of devices” before they could be launched. Wray said the action “strikes a blow against Russian intelligence.”
In addition to the enforcement actions, Garland acknowledged for the first time that the Justice Department was assisting in the effort to examine possible war crimes in Ukraine. The attorney general said U.S. authorities met with counterparts in Europe to develop a plan to gather evidence.
This week, Biden called for a war crimes trial against Putin. The International Criminal Court is one possible venue, but the White House said the United States would work with allies to decide the mechanism.
Garland said the Justice Department has "a long history" of helping to hold accountable those who perpetuated war crimes, and he singled out the atrocities in Ukraine: "We have seen the dead bodies of civilians, some with bound hands, scattered in the streets. We have seen the mass graves. We have seen the bombed hospital, theater, and residential apartment buildings.
"The world sees what is happening in Ukraine. The Justice Department sees what is happening in Ukraine," he said.
Reach Joey Garrison on Twitter @joeygarrison
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Putin's daughters targeted in new round of US economic sanctions on Russia |
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10692221/Biden-set-sanction-Putins-DAUGHTERS-new-wave-measures.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ito=1490&ns_campaign=1490 | Biden sanctions Putin's two adult DAUGHTERS, members of Lavrov's family and two Russian banks in move to send them 'back to Soviet-style living standards from the 1980s' after latest horrors in Bucha
- The U.S. is announcing new economic sanctions this week
- Biden indicated they were coming Monday, calling Putin a 'war criminal'
- They are expected to target Putin's two daughters by ex-wife Lyudmila Putina
- Maria Vorontsova is an endocrinologist; Katerina Tikhonova is a gymnast with a university position
- US and Spanish officials seized a mega yacht belonging to oligarch who is friends with Putin
- Officials say they hope sanctions will pressure Putin to change course
- Ukrainian President Zelensky spoke to UN Security Council Tuesday and described murdered civilians in the streets of Bucha and other areas
- U.S. also imposing full blocking sanctions on Sberbank, Russia's largest bank
- Economic advisor Brian Deese said inflation in Russia is running at 2 per cent a WEEK
Gruesome reports of civilian murders in the Ukrainian town of Bucha amid Russia's ongoing attacks on Ukraine have prompted U.S. and European officials to target Russian President Vladimir Putin's daughters in the latest round of economic sanctions.
The pressure campaign comes on top of a series of sets of economic sanctions that U.S. officials say have knocked back years of growth in the Russian economy – with the hope that the consequences will force Putin to change course.
This time, U.S. and European Union officials are eyeing Putin's two daughters, Maria Vorontsova and Katerina Tikhonova.
They are the children of Putin and his first wife, Lyudmila Putina, a former Aeroflat flight attendant. The Kremlin announced she and Putin were divorcing in 2013.
'We have we have reason to believe that many of his cronies and the oligarchs hide their wealth – hide their assets with family members that place their assets and their wealth in the US financial system,' a senior administration official told reporters on Wednesday. 'We believe that many of Putin’s assets are hidden with family members and that’s why we’re targeting them.'
The administration announced the rollout of sanctions this morning. The move follows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's chilling speech to the UN Security Council about killings of Ukrainian civilians who have been found in the street, shot with their arms bound behind their backs.
Katerina Tikhonova, deputy director of the Institute for Mathematical Research of Complex Systems at Moscow State University, daughter of Russian President Vladimir Putin. U.S. and European sanctions are expected to go after Putin family members
Officials are already seeking to get at Putin by sanctioning oligarchs, and seizing trophy properties – including the seizure days ago of Tango, a 254-foot luxury yacht owned by oligarch and Putin friend Viktor Vekselberg.
The U.S. also imposing full blocking sanctions on Sberbank, Russia's largest bank. The senior administration official called it the 'main artery in the Russian financial system,' handling lending for about one third of its assets, totaling $500 billion.
The sanctions mean that any transaction with any currency involving a U.S. person or institution is prohibited, and any assets that come in contact with the U.S. financial system are frozen. The administration expects other nations to follow on with the U.S. sanctions.
'This is the most severe action we can take in terms of financial measures,' said the official.
Putin keeps a notoriously tight lid on his family life.
Maria Vorontsova, 36, was born when the Russian president was a KGB spy. She is a doctor of Endocrinology and is a top researcher at a medical facility in Russia, specializing in rare childhood genetic diseases.
Tikhonova is a gymnast was was married to billionaire Kirill Shamalov, who Reuters reported was a senior shareholder in Bank Rossiya. The 2015 report estimated their joint holdings at $2 billion, with a villa in Biarritz, France. She holds a senior role at Moscow State University, and has inked documents for development projects for the school.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, asked about the coming sanctions Tuesday, said only that they would target 'family members' of 'Russian government officials.'
Katerina Tikhonova, who has never been officially confirmed as Putin's daughter, is in charge of key investments at Moscow State University. She is a gymnast was was married to billionaire Kirill Shamalov
President Joe Biden has called Vladimir Putin a 'war criminal'
Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine. Ukrainian officials have spoken about horrors they have uncovered after the Ukrainian military pushed back Russian forces from their positions
The Wall Street Journal reported that US and EU sanctions would go after Putin's daughters, without certainty about which family members would come under sanction.
Page Six reported in March that Putin's mistress Alina Kabaeva was alleged to be in hiding in Switzerland with the couple's four young children – information that the Kremlin has not confirmed.
Kabaeva is a former Olympic Gold medalist in rhythmic gymnastics.
Biden said Monday he was seeking additional sanctions, as reports came in about attrocities in Bucha.
'You may remember I was criticized for calling Putin a war criminal,' he said. 'Well, the truth of the matter, you saw what happened in Bucha. This warrants him — he is a war criminal.'
'Most estimates are the Russian economy is now, you know, on track to contract by 10 to 15% over the course of this year, which would be which would be historic,' said White House economic official Brian Deese at a Christian Science Monitor breakfast with reporters Wednesday.
'If you track weekly inflation in Russia for the last four weeks, it's been running at roughly 2% a week. So we've all gotten used to monthly inflation data, but 2% a week is like roughly 200% a year,' Deese said. 'We don't expect there to be 200% inflation in Russia because we expect that to level off.' But he added that is indicative of the 'extent of the economic challenge that's operating on the ground in Russia.'
The sanctions are meant in part to undue the 'social contract' that Putin has with the Russian people, offering stability and financial security in exchange for his unrivaled power, the administration official said.
'The sad reality is Putin's war will make it harder for Russians to travel abroad, means their debit cards may not work. They may only have the option to buy knockoff phones, and knock off clothes. The shelves of stores may be empty. The reality is the country's economic and financial, and technological isolation and at this rate it will go back to Soviet-style standards from the 1980s.' | 1 | 26,885 | 0.460653 | https://postcourier.com.pg/putins-daughters-targeted-by-us-sanctions/ | 2022-04-07 21:56:34+00:00 | The US has imposed sanctions against Russian President Vladimir Putin’s inner circle, including his daughters.
The list also includes the family of Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and major banks.
The measures follow new revelations of atrocities by Russian troops in Ukraine, including images of bodies of civilians scattered on the streets of Bucha, near the capital Kyiv.
Russia says, without evidence, the images are staged by Kyiv officials.
Even though satellite images have shown the civilians were killed when Russians were in control of Bucha, Mr Putin on Wednesday described the event as a “crude and cynical provocation by the Kyiv regime”.
Referring to the Bucha murders, US President Joe Biden said on Wednesday: “There’s nothing less happening than major war crimes.”
“Responsible nations have to come together to hold these perpetrators accountable,” Mr Biden added.
The US said Mr Putin’s daughters, Katerina Vladimirovna Tikhonova and Maria Vladimirovna Vorontsova, were being put under sanctions “for being the adult children of Putin, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked”.
The announcement described Ms Tikhonova as “a tech executive whose work supports the GoR [Russian government] and defense industry”.
Her sister, Ms Vorontsova, it went on, “leads state-funded programs that have received billions of dollars from the Kremlin toward genetics research and are personally overseen by Putin”.
Asked why the US was targeting Mr Putin’s daughters, a senior Biden administration official said the US thought they could be in control of some of their father’s assets.
“We have reason to believe that Putin, and many of his cronies, and the oligarchs, hide their wealth, hide their assets, with family members that place their assets and their wealth in the US financial system, and also many other parts of the world,” the official said.
“We believe that many of Putin’s assets are hidden with family members, and that’s why we’re targeting them.”
The US sanctions announced by the White House include:
– economic measures to ban new investment in Russia;
– severe financial sanctions on Russia’s largest private bank, Alfa Bank, and its largest financial institution, Sberbank;
– sanctions on critical major state-owned enterprises; and
– sanctions on Russian government officials and their family members.
Meanwhile the UK has announced further sanctions against eight oligarchs and Russian banks, including the country’s largest, Sberbank, and Credit Bank of Moscow.
The European Union is also debating cutting off Russian coal imports as concern over alleged war crimes increases.
Before the new raft of sanctions was announced in Washington, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he could not “tolerate any indecisiveness”.
Speaking to the Irish parliament on Wednesday, he said there was still a need to convince some in Europe who believe “war and war crimes are not as horrific as financial losses” to back tougher sanctions.
He added that “Russian oil cannot feed the Russian military machine”, with Ukraine’s foreign minister arguing on Twitter that an embargo on gas and oil was needed to truly impact Russia’s ability to finance the war.
-The Guardian |
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10692221/Biden-set-sanction-Putins-DAUGHTERS-new-wave-measures.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ito=1490&ns_campaign=1490 | Biden sanctions Putin's two adult DAUGHTERS, members of Lavrov's family and two Russian banks in move to send them 'back to Soviet-style living standards from the 1980s' after latest horrors in Bucha
- The U.S. is announcing new economic sanctions this week
- Biden indicated they were coming Monday, calling Putin a 'war criminal'
- They are expected to target Putin's two daughters by ex-wife Lyudmila Putina
- Maria Vorontsova is an endocrinologist; Katerina Tikhonova is a gymnast with a university position
- US and Spanish officials seized a mega yacht belonging to oligarch who is friends with Putin
- Officials say they hope sanctions will pressure Putin to change course
- Ukrainian President Zelensky spoke to UN Security Council Tuesday and described murdered civilians in the streets of Bucha and other areas
- U.S. also imposing full blocking sanctions on Sberbank, Russia's largest bank
- Economic advisor Brian Deese said inflation in Russia is running at 2 per cent a WEEK
Gruesome reports of civilian murders in the Ukrainian town of Bucha amid Russia's ongoing attacks on Ukraine have prompted U.S. and European officials to target Russian President Vladimir Putin's daughters in the latest round of economic sanctions.
The pressure campaign comes on top of a series of sets of economic sanctions that U.S. officials say have knocked back years of growth in the Russian economy – with the hope that the consequences will force Putin to change course.
This time, U.S. and European Union officials are eyeing Putin's two daughters, Maria Vorontsova and Katerina Tikhonova.
They are the children of Putin and his first wife, Lyudmila Putina, a former Aeroflat flight attendant. The Kremlin announced she and Putin were divorcing in 2013.
'We have we have reason to believe that many of his cronies and the oligarchs hide their wealth – hide their assets with family members that place their assets and their wealth in the US financial system,' a senior administration official told reporters on Wednesday. 'We believe that many of Putin’s assets are hidden with family members and that’s why we’re targeting them.'
The administration announced the rollout of sanctions this morning. The move follows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's chilling speech to the UN Security Council about killings of Ukrainian civilians who have been found in the street, shot with their arms bound behind their backs.
Katerina Tikhonova, deputy director of the Institute for Mathematical Research of Complex Systems at Moscow State University, daughter of Russian President Vladimir Putin. U.S. and European sanctions are expected to go after Putin family members
Officials are already seeking to get at Putin by sanctioning oligarchs, and seizing trophy properties – including the seizure days ago of Tango, a 254-foot luxury yacht owned by oligarch and Putin friend Viktor Vekselberg.
The U.S. also imposing full blocking sanctions on Sberbank, Russia's largest bank. The senior administration official called it the 'main artery in the Russian financial system,' handling lending for about one third of its assets, totaling $500 billion.
The sanctions mean that any transaction with any currency involving a U.S. person or institution is prohibited, and any assets that come in contact with the U.S. financial system are frozen. The administration expects other nations to follow on with the U.S. sanctions.
'This is the most severe action we can take in terms of financial measures,' said the official.
Putin keeps a notoriously tight lid on his family life.
Maria Vorontsova, 36, was born when the Russian president was a KGB spy. She is a doctor of Endocrinology and is a top researcher at a medical facility in Russia, specializing in rare childhood genetic diseases.
Tikhonova is a gymnast was was married to billionaire Kirill Shamalov, who Reuters reported was a senior shareholder in Bank Rossiya. The 2015 report estimated their joint holdings at $2 billion, with a villa in Biarritz, France. She holds a senior role at Moscow State University, and has inked documents for development projects for the school.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, asked about the coming sanctions Tuesday, said only that they would target 'family members' of 'Russian government officials.'
Katerina Tikhonova, who has never been officially confirmed as Putin's daughter, is in charge of key investments at Moscow State University. She is a gymnast was was married to billionaire Kirill Shamalov
President Joe Biden has called Vladimir Putin a 'war criminal'
Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine. Ukrainian officials have spoken about horrors they have uncovered after the Ukrainian military pushed back Russian forces from their positions
The Wall Street Journal reported that US and EU sanctions would go after Putin's daughters, without certainty about which family members would come under sanction.
Page Six reported in March that Putin's mistress Alina Kabaeva was alleged to be in hiding in Switzerland with the couple's four young children – information that the Kremlin has not confirmed.
Kabaeva is a former Olympic Gold medalist in rhythmic gymnastics.
Biden said Monday he was seeking additional sanctions, as reports came in about attrocities in Bucha.
'You may remember I was criticized for calling Putin a war criminal,' he said. 'Well, the truth of the matter, you saw what happened in Bucha. This warrants him — he is a war criminal.'
'Most estimates are the Russian economy is now, you know, on track to contract by 10 to 15% over the course of this year, which would be which would be historic,' said White House economic official Brian Deese at a Christian Science Monitor breakfast with reporters Wednesday.
'If you track weekly inflation in Russia for the last four weeks, it's been running at roughly 2% a week. So we've all gotten used to monthly inflation data, but 2% a week is like roughly 200% a year,' Deese said. 'We don't expect there to be 200% inflation in Russia because we expect that to level off.' But he added that is indicative of the 'extent of the economic challenge that's operating on the ground in Russia.'
The sanctions are meant in part to undue the 'social contract' that Putin has with the Russian people, offering stability and financial security in exchange for his unrivaled power, the administration official said.
'The sad reality is Putin's war will make it harder for Russians to travel abroad, means their debit cards may not work. They may only have the option to buy knockoff phones, and knock off clothes. The shelves of stores may be empty. The reality is the country's economic and financial, and technological isolation and at this rate it will go back to Soviet-style standards from the 1980s.' | 2 | 129,086 | 0.465847 | https://www.newsbreak.com/news/2564603399017/us-targets-putin-s-daughters-russian-banks-in-new-sanctions | 2022-04-08 08:24:51+00:00 | US targets Putin's daughters, Russian banks in new sanctions
WASHINGTON — (AP) — The U.S. on Wednesday announced a new wave of punishing “war crimes” sanctions on Russia that President Joe Biden said would cramp the country’s economy for years to come. The U.K. quickly followed suit, and more pain was coming from the European Union as the West tightens the economic screws on Vladimir Putin.
Making it personal, the U.S. sanctions singled out the Russian president's family, targeting his two adult daughters in addition to blocking two key Russian banks.
The latest sanctions underscore the economic pain that Russia faces, as evidence that its troops killed Ukrainian civilians leads to ever harsher penalties by the U.S. and its Western allies that erode Putin's ability to fight. Biden stressed that the economic consequences could outlast the war.
“We’re going to stifle Russia’s ability to grow for years to come,” said Biden.
While rounds of increased sanctions have not forced Putin out of the war, they have put Russia in increasingly desperate economic circumstances as Ukrainian forces withstand his barrages. Key to the effectiveness of the sanctions has been the unity between the U.S. and European nations. And the atrocities revealed in Ukraine have intensified pressure on Germany and other countries to go further and join the U.S. and Lithuania in blocking all Russian energy exports.
The U.K. piled on Wednesday with asset freezes against two major banks, a ban on British investment in Russia and a pledge to end dependency on Russian coal and oil by yearend.
The European Union was also expected to soon take additional steps, including a ban on new investment in Russia and an embargo on coal, after the recent evidence of atrocities emerging in the wake of the retreat by Russian forces from the town of Bucha.
The U.S. acted against two of Russia's largest banks, Sberbank and Alfa Bank, prohibiting assets from going through the U.S. financial system and barring Americans from doing business with those two institutions.
In addition to sanctions aimed at Putin’s adult daughters, Mariya Putina and Katerina Tikhonova, the U.S. is targeting Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin; the wife and children of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov; and members of Russia’s Security Council, including Dmitry Medvedev, a former president and prime minister.
The penalties cut off all of Putin’s close family members from the U.S. financial system and freeze any assets they hold in the United States.
Biden was expected to sign an an executive order that would ban new investment in Russia by Americans no matter where they are living. The U.S. Treasury Department was preparing more sanctions against Russian state-owned enterprises, according to the White House.
Britain announced asset freezes targeting Sberbank and the Credit Bank of Moscow and designated eight Russian oligarchs whom it says Putin “uses to prop up his war economy.”
"Together with our allies, we are showing the Russian elite that they cannot wash their hands of the atrocities committed on Putin’s orders,” British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said.
Britain had already announced a plan to phase out Russian oil, which accounts for 8% of the U.K. supply. Russia is the top supplier of imported coal to the U.K., though British demand for the polluting fuel has plummeted in the past decade.
Britain has not ended imports of Russian natural gas, which accounts for 4% of its supply, saying only that it will do so “as soon as possible.”
Videos and images of bodies in the streets of Bucha after it was recaptured from Russian forces have unleashed a wave of indignation among Western allies, who have drawn up new sanctions as a response.
The European Commission’s proposed ban on coal imports would be the first EU sanctions targeting Russia’s lucrative energy industry over its war in Ukraine.
EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell said energy was key to Putin’s war coffers. And because the war has pushed prices higher, Russia has benefitted from being able to sell its natural gas and oil to the rest of the world.
“A billion euro is what we pay Putin every day for the energy he provides us since the beginning of the war. We have given him 35 billion euro. Compare that to the one billion that we have given to the Ukraine in arms and weapons,” Borrell said.
The steady intensifying in sanctions is less a sign of their shortcomings than the building pressure against Russia as it seeks foreign investment and basic goods, Brian Deese, director of the White House National Economic Council, told reporters at a Wednesday breakfast. “We need to have patience and perspective when it comes to the impacts on Russia of this unprecedented and crippling sanctions regime,” Deese said at the event sponsored by The Christian Science Monitor.
Deese noted that Russian inflation is running at 2% weekly, which would compound to annual inflation above 200% annually. He noted that the Biden administration expects Russian prices will not ultimately rise more than 200% this year.
While the White House has said Russia should not attend the G-20 meeting in Indonesia this November, he noted that it may drop out of the organization anyway because its economy has shrunk in size so dramatically.
After several European countries announced the expulsion of Russian diplomats, the European Commission proposed a fifth package of sanctions including a ban on coal imports that could be adopted once unanimously approved by the 27-nation bloc's ambassadors.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the coal ban is worth 4 billion euros ($4.4 billion) per year and that the EU has already started working on additional sanctions, including on oil imports.
She didn’t mention natural gas, with consensus among the 27 EU countries on targeting the fuel used to generate electricity and heat homes difficult to secure amid opposition from gas-dependent members like Germany, the bloc’s largest economy.
But European Council President Charles Michel said the bloc should keep up the pressure on the Kremlin, suggesting that an embargo on gas imports should also be required at some point in the future.
“The new package includes a ban on coal imports,” Michel said on Wednesday. “I think that measures on oil, and even gas, will also be needed, sooner or later.”
___
Petrequin reported from Brussels. Associated Press writers Zeke Miller in Washington and Jill Lawless in London contributed reporting.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. |
https://www.wflx.com/2022/04/06/gerber-is-looking-its-next-spokesbaby/ | Gerber is looking for its next ‘spokesbaby’
Published: Apr. 6, 2022 at 10:46 AM EDT|Updated: moments ago
(Gray News) - Gerber is looking for a baby to be the next face of the company.
The company said it is searching for its next “Chief Growing Officer and Spokesbaby.”
The job requirements are simple. Applicants must be between 0-4 years old, have a “playful smile that can light up the room,” and an “irresistible giggle and undeniably loveable personality.”
The winner will also receive $25,000.
To apply, visit Gerber’s website here.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | 0 | 77,934 | 0.035032 | https://www.wgem.com/2022/04/06/gerber-is-looking-its-next-spokesbaby/ | 2022-04-06 16:21:49+00:00 | Gerber is looking for its next ‘spokesbaby’
Published: Apr. 6, 2022 at 9:46 AM CDT|Updated: 1 hours ago
(Gray News) - Gerber is looking for a baby to be the next face of the company.
The company said it is searching for its next “Chief Growing Officer and Spokesbaby.”
The job requirements are simple. Applicants must be between 0-4 years old, have a “playful smile that can light up the room,” and an “irresistible giggle and undeniably loveable personality.”
The winner will also receive $25,000.
To apply, visit Gerber’s website here.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. |
https://www.wflx.com/2022/04/06/gerber-is-looking-its-next-spokesbaby/ | Gerber is looking for its next ‘spokesbaby’
Published: Apr. 6, 2022 at 10:46 AM EDT|Updated: moments ago
(Gray News) - Gerber is looking for a baby to be the next face of the company.
The company said it is searching for its next “Chief Growing Officer and Spokesbaby.”
The job requirements are simple. Applicants must be between 0-4 years old, have a “playful smile that can light up the room,” and an “irresistible giggle and undeniably loveable personality.”
The winner will also receive $25,000.
To apply, visit Gerber’s website here.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | 1 | 81,388 | 0.035032 | https://www.ktre.com/2022/04/06/gerber-is-looking-its-next-spokesbaby/ | 2022-04-06 16:35:40+00:00 | Gerber is looking for its next ‘spokesbaby’
Published: Apr. 6, 2022 at 9:46 AM CDT|Updated: 1 hours ago
(Gray News) - Gerber is looking for a baby to be the next face of the company.
The company said it is searching for its next “Chief Growing Officer and Spokesbaby.”
The job requirements are simple. Applicants must be between 0-4 years old, have a “playful smile that can light up the room,” and an “irresistible giggle and undeniably loveable personality.”
The winner will also receive $25,000.
To apply, visit Gerber’s website here.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. |
https://www.wflx.com/2022/04/06/gerber-is-looking-its-next-spokesbaby/ | Gerber is looking for its next ‘spokesbaby’
Published: Apr. 6, 2022 at 10:46 AM EDT|Updated: moments ago
(Gray News) - Gerber is looking for a baby to be the next face of the company.
The company said it is searching for its next “Chief Growing Officer and Spokesbaby.”
The job requirements are simple. Applicants must be between 0-4 years old, have a “playful smile that can light up the room,” and an “irresistible giggle and undeniably loveable personality.”
The winner will also receive $25,000.
To apply, visit Gerber’s website here.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | 2 | 15,214 | 0.054611 | https://www.kolotv.com/2022/04/06/gerber-is-looking-its-next-spokesbaby/ | 2022-04-08 11:25:18+00:00 | Gerber is looking for its next ‘spokesbaby’
Published: Apr. 6, 2022 at 7:46 AM PDT
(Gray News) - Gerber is looking for a baby to be the next face of the company.
The company said it is searching for its next “Chief Growing Officer and Spokesbaby.”
The job requirements are simple. Applicants must be between 0-4 years old, have a “playful smile that can light up the room,” and an “irresistible giggle and undeniably loveable personality.”
The winner will also receive $25,000.
To apply, visit Gerber’s website here.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. |
https://wcfcourier.com/news/national/live-updates-poland-gives-citizens-crisis-preparation-tips/article_3ec6f780-2670-5ec4-8367-5c959a8b47bb.html | WARSAW, Poland – Poland’s government has issued a guide that instructs the public how to prepare for a crisis like war and what to do during attacks with weapons ranging from conventional to chemical and nuclear.
Posted on the Government Security Center’s website this week, the “Be Ready – Guide for Times of Crisis and War” gives detailed instructions in written form and videos.
European Union and NATO member Poland supports neighboring Ukraine’s fight against Russia’s military invasion and is calling for European imports of Russian energy sources to stop. The tough stance has raised concerns among some ordinary Poles.
The guide describes public warning systems in the event of shelling, advises people to stock up on water, food, medication, batteries and flashlights in case of power cuts. It also includes advice on preparing for an evacuation, seeking protection during shelling or shooting, and what to do during a chemical or nuclear attack.
The center says it is obliged to prepare the public for various difficult scenarios and the guide is not necessarily due to the war in Ukraine. Previous guides addressed situations like floods and harsh winter weather.
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KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR:
— Burned, piled bodies among latest horrors in Bucha, Ukraine
— Russia's setback in Kyiv was memorable military failure
— At UN, Ukraine President Zelenskyy accuses Russian military of war crimes
— Russian media campaign falsely claims Bucha deaths are fakes
— China calls for probe into Bucha killings, assigns no blame
— US official: US, allies, to ban new investments in Russia
— Go to https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine for more coverage
OTHER DEVELOPMENTS:
BRATISLAVA, Slovakia — Slovakia’s Prime Minister Eduard Heger says he will join EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to travel to the Ukrainian capital to meet with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy later this week.
Heger said on Wednesday, “Tomorrow in the evening, I will travel to Kyiv.” He declined to give further details about the trip.
Von der Leyen has planned to travel to Kyiv with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.
VILNIUS, Lithuania — Olympic gold medalist Ruta Meilutyte swam in a red-dyed pond outside the Russian Embassy in Vilnius on Wednesday to protest against Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The performance called “Swimming Through” was organized by a local art community. The pond was dyed red with environmentally friendly paint to resemble blood, according to the organizers.
“It’s crucial that we keep acting, spreading truthful information, volunteering, protesting, donating, and pressuring our governments to take action,” Meilutyte said on Instagram.
Meilutyte won gold at the 2012 Games in London as well as gold at the 2013 world championship and European titles in 2014 and 2016.
She served a two-year ban from 2019 through 2021 for failing to make herself available for out-of-competition drug testing.
BERLIN -- German Chancellor Olaf Scholz says he expects more images to emerge like the ones of dead civilians in the Ukrainian town of Bucha and is assailing Russian assertions that they were staged.
Scholz told Germany’s parliament on Wednesday, “Russian soldiers carried out a massacre of Ukrainian civilians before their withdrawal” from Bucha.
He added: “The cynical assertion spread by Russia that this … is staged falls back on those who spread these lies. The killing of civilians is a war crime.”
Scholz said the perpetrators and the superiors who gave them orders must be held to account. He said: “We must not forget: we have to expect that we will see more such pictures.”
The chancellor said that “the killing by the Russian military is continuing undiminished.” He renewed a call for Russian President Vladimir Putin to “end this destructive and self-destructive war immediately” and withdraw his troops from Ukraine.
GENEVA — The top ally and chief strategist of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny is welcoming reports that the U.S. might impose sanctions on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s daughters and says Putin’s “most important confidante” should be sanctioned, too.
Leonid Volkov said Wednesday it isn’t clear what, if any, properties Putin’s daughters might own that could be seized. But he says including them on the next sanctions list would send an important message as part of the response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg, citing people familiar with the matter, reported Tuesday that the Russian leader’s closest family members could be targeted by the next round of sanctions against Russia.
Speaking at the independent Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy, Volkov said Navalny’s anti-corruption movement also wants Western countries to sanction Alina Kabayeva, who won Olympic gold in rhythmic gymnastics in 2004. SHe is reported to be romantically linked to Putin.
BERLIN — A German spokesman says the government has information which indicates that bodies found after Ukraine retook Bucha last week had been lying there since at least March 10, when Russian troops were in control of the town.
Steffen Hebestreit told reporters in Berlin on Wednesday that the information was based on non-commercial satellite images taken March 10-18 of Yablonska Street in Bucha.
“Credible information shows that from March 7 to March 30 Russian soldiers and security forces were deployed in this area,” he said. “They were also tasked with the interrogation of prisoners who were subsequently executed.”
Hebestreit said that “targeted killings by units of the Russian military and security forces are therefore proof that the Russian President and supreme commander has at least approvingly accepted human rights abuses and war crimes to achieve his goals.”
“The assertions made by the Russian side that these are staged scenes or they aren’t responsible for the murders are therefore not tenable,” he added.
Asked about the source of this information, Hebestreit said that images reviewed by Germany “were not commercial satellite images.” He declined to elaborate.
HELSINKI — The Finnish Customs agency says three consignments seized on the border with Russia contain artworks and artifacts on loan to European institutions from several Russian art museums, with a total insurance value of around 42 million euros ($46 million).
The seizure at the Vaalimaa border point in southeastern Finland on April 2 and April 3 came as the cargo fell under the European Union sanctions imposed on Russia due to the invasion of Ukraine, Finland Customs said on Wednesday.
Finland’s Foreign Ministry says the Russian artworks, including valuable paintings and statues, are classified as luxury items subject to EU sanctions on Russia, and that Finnish Customs had no other option than to temporarily confiscate them.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Teemu Sepponen told public broadcaster YLE that Russian museums will maintain legal ownership or the artworks that “have been temporarily taken over” and are stored in a secure place in Finland.
According to Russian media, the artworks were en route to Russia after having been loan in exhibitions in several museums in Italy, including the Palazzo Reale museum in Milan and the Gallerie d’Italia museum.
— This item has been corrected to show that the art was on loan to European institutions, not Finnish ones.
ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey’s defense ministry says authorities have detected a third naval mine drifting in the Black Sea, and military teams have been dispatched to deactivate it.
The explosive device was detected on Wednesday off the coast of northwestern Kocaeli province, and the area has been “secured,” the ministry said.
It was the third mine spotted in Turkish waters since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, including one that forced authorities to close Istanbul’s Bosporus Strait to traffic.
Russia and Ukraine have traded accusations about the naval mines that have been threatening shipping in the Black Sea.
The Russian military has alleged that the Ukrainian military has used old naval mines to protect the coast against a Russian landing and some of them have been ripped off their anchors by a storm and left adrift. Ukraine has accused Russia of using Ukrainian mines it seized after the 2014 annexation of Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula and setting them adrift to discredit Ukraine.
COPENHAGEN, Denmark — Norway is following other European nations and expelling Russian diplomats.
Norway’s Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt said Wednesday that three Russian diplomats had carried out activities incompatible with their status.
The timing for the expulsions “was not accidental” and comes “at a time when the whole world is shaken by reports of Russian forces abusing civilians, especially in the city of Bucha,” Huitfeldt said in a statement.
In recent days, numerous European countries have expelled Russian diplomats and staff at Russian diplomatic missions.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov says negotiations with Ukraine are continuing despite allegations of war crimes against civilians in the Kyiv suburb of Bucha.
Peskov said Wednesday the talks continued with Ukraine but that the Bucha revelations — which he referred to as a “staging” — had hampered talks and there was “a fairly long road ahead.”
“The working process continues, but it is going much more tough than we would like. Of course, we would like to see more dynamism from the Ukrainian side, but the process has not been broken off and is continuing,” Peskov said.
Russia retreated from areas around Kyiv and the northern cities of Chernihiv and Sumy after talks with Ukraine in Turkey last week. Ukrainian troops entering the areas found evidence of widespread killings of civilians. Russia denies any war crimes and has alleged Ukraine has faked the incidents.
Since the talks in Turkey, Russia and Ukraine’s delegations have continued talks via video link.
GENEVA — The International Committee of the Red Cross says one of its teams in Ukraine has led some 500 people who fled Mariupol in a humanitarian convoy of buses and private cars to a safer location in the embattled country.
The ICRC says its team that has been trying to enter Mariupol since last Friday got within 20 kilometers (12 miles) of the besieged city, but security conditions made it impossible to enter. The convoy escorted the civilians from coastal Berdyansk to Zaporizhzhia, to the north.
“This convoy’s arrival to Zaporizhzhia is a huge relief for hundreds of people who have suffered immensely and are now in a safer location,” said Pascal Hundt, ICRC’s head of delegation in Ukraine. “It’s clear, though, that thousands more civilians trapped inside Mariupol need safe passage out and aid to come in.”
He said the Geneva-based organization remains available as “a neutral intermediary” to help escort civilians out of Mariupol “once concrete agreements and security conditions allow it.”
BERLIN — The aid group Doctors without Borders says its staff members have witnessed an attack on a hospital in the Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv.
The group, known by its French acronym MSF, said Wednesday that a four-member team had just entered the city’s cancer hospital when the area came under fire.
It quoted team leader Michel-Olivier Lacharite saying Monday’s attack lasted about 10 minutes. Upon leaving the hospital the team saw several injured people and dead bodies.
Lacharite was quoted as saying the bombardment of the hospital, located in a residential area, was likely to have caused civilian casualties and called on medical facilities not to be targeted.
The group didn’t provide information on which side in the war might have carried out the attack. Under international law, attacks on medical facilities and workers are deemed war crimes.
ROME — Italian firefighters have put out a fire at a villa on Lake Como reportedly owned by the pro-Putin Russian television personality Vladimir Soloyvev, who has been hit with European Union sanctions.
An official at the Como fire station confirmed that firefighters extinguished the early morning blaze Wednesday at the villa in Menaggio, one of the picturesque towns that dot the lake in northern Italy.
He said police were investigating the fire as a suspected act of protest. The villa was under renovation and the blaze involved tires at the site, said the official who declined to be identified by name, citing official policy.
Italian daily Corriere della Sera and news agency LaPresse said the villa was owned by Solovyev, a presenter on state run Channel One.
According to the EU list of sanctions, Solovyev is “known for his extremely hostile attitude towards Ukraine and praise of the Russian government.” The EU says he was targeted because of his support for “actions or policies which undermine the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.”
Italian carabinieri are investigating.
LONDON — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russia of using hunger as a weapon of war by deliberately targeting Ukraine’s essential food supplies.
In an address to Irish lawmakers Wednesday, Zelenskyy said Russian forces “are destroying things that are sustaining livelihoods” including food storage depots, blocking ports so Ukraine could not export food and “putting mines into the fields.”
“For them hunger is also a weapon, a weapon against us ordinary people,” he said, accusing Russia of “deliberately provoking a food crisis” in Ukraine, a major global producer of staples including wheat and sunflower oil.
He said it would have international ramifications, because “there will be a shortage of food and the prices will go up, and this is reality for the millions of people who are hungry, and it will be more difficult for them to feed their families.”
Zelenskyy spoke by video to a joint session of Ireland’s two houses of parliament, the latest in a string of international addresses he has used to rally support for Ukraine.
BRUSSELS — A senior European Union official says the bloc’s member countries should think about ways of offering asylum to Russian soldiers willing to desert Ukraine battlefields.
European Council president Charles Michel on Wednesday expressed his “outrage at crimes against humanity, against innocent civilians in Bucha and in many other cities.”
He called on Russian soldiers to disobey orders.
“If you want no part in killing your Ukrainian brothers and sisters, if you don’t want to be a criminal, drop your weapons, stop fighting, leave the battlefield,” Michel, who represents the bloc’s governments, said in a speech to the European Parliament
Endorsing an idea previously circulated by some EU lawmakers, Michel added that granting asylum to Russian deserters is “a valuable idea that should be pursued.”
ATHENS, Greece — Greece has joined a list of European countries expelling Russian diplomats, with the foreign ministry announcing on Wednesday it had declared 12 diplomats unwelcome.
The ministry said it had declared 12 members of Russian diplomatic and consular missions accredited to Greece as “personae non gratae,” and that the Russian ambassador had been informed.
It did not specify which diplomats were being expelled or state a reason, beyond citing that the move was carried out in accordance with international treaties.
BERLIN — Germany’s foreign minister has accused Russia of spreading disinformation to justify its war in Ukraine.
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Wednesday that “as Russian tanks destroy Ukrainian cities, the Kremlin’s propaganda machine is censoring news, restricting social media, spreading disinformation and punishing those who dare to speak the truth.”
She said the aim was “both clear and cynical: to demoralize the courageous people of Ukraine while keeping Russians in the dark.”
Baerbock spoke in a video message to a conference on disinformation organized by her ministry at which participants also cited examples of Russian efforts to stoke resentment in Europe against refugees from Ukraine.
LONDON — Intel says it is suspending all its business operations in Russia, becoming the latest foreign company to leave because of Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
“Effective immediately, we have suspended all business operations in Russia,” the U.S. chipmaker said late Wednesday.
The company had already suspended shipments to customers in Russia and neighboring ally Belarus after the war broke out.
Intel said it’s working to support its 1,200 employees in Russia and has put in place “business continuity measures” to reduce disruption to its global operations, though it didn’t provide details.
“Intel continues to join the global community in condemning Russia’s war against Ukraine and calling for a swift return to peace,” it said in a statement.
BEIJING — China says the reports and images of civilian deaths in the Ukrainian town of Bucha are “deeply disturbing” and it is calling for an investigation.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said Wednesday that China supports all initiatives and measures “conducive to alleviating the humanitarian crisis” in the country and is “ready to continue to work together with the international community to prevent any harm to civilians.”
The killings in Bucha may serve to put further pressure on Beijing over its largely pro-Russian stance and attempts to guide public opinion over the war.
China has called for talks while refusing to criticize Russia over its invasion. It opposes economic sanctions on Moscow and blames Washington and NATO for provoking the war and fueling the conflict by sending arms to Ukraine.
Zhao’s remarks echo those the previous day of China’s ambassador to the United Nations, Zhang Jun, who called for an investigation, describing the reports and images of civilian deaths in Bucha as “deeply disturbing.”
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis has kissed a battered Ukrainian flag that was brought to him from the Ukrainian city of Bucha and called again for an end to the war.
Francis welcomed a half-dozen Ukrainian children up to the stage of the Vatican audience hall at the end of his Wednesday general audience and gave them each a giant chocolate Easter egg. He urged prayers for them and for all Ukrainians.
“The recent news from the war in Ukraine, instead of bringing relief and hope, brought testimony of new atrocities, like the massacre in Bucha, even more horrendous cruelty carried out against civilians, defenseless women and children," the pope said.
He told the crowd: “These children had to flee to arrive in a safe place. This is the fruit of war.”
The pontiff held up a grimy Ukrainian flag that he said had arrived at the Vatican on Tuesday from Bucha, where evidence has emerged of what appears to be intentional killings of civilians during the city’s occupation by Russian troops.
Kissing it, he said: “This flag comes from the war, from that martyred city Bucha .... Let us not forget them. Let us not forget the people of Ukraine.”
BUDAPEST, Hungary — Hungary’s Foreign Ministry summoned the Ukrainian ambassador on Wednesday after days of the two countries’ officials trading barbs over Hungary’s position on the war.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto wrote in a social media post on Wednesday that “we condemn military aggression, we stand by Ukraine’s sovereignty,” but that “this is not our war, so we want to and will stay out of it.”
Hungary’s government has refused to supply weapons to Ukraine or allow their transfer across the Hungarian-Ukrainian border, and has fought against applying sanctions on Russian energy imports.
That position has prompted criticism of Hungary’s government by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenksyy. He said in an address on Ukrainian television that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban would need to choose between Moscow and “the other world” of the West.
Orban, who won a landslide victory in Hungarian elections on Sunday, in a victory speech depicted Zelenskyy as one of the opponents he and his right-wing party had defeated.
COPENHAGEN, Denmark — Norway is beefing up its police and intelligence work, chiefly in the northern part of the country, which has a nearly 200-kilometer (124-mile) land border with Russia, and wants to spend 100 million kroner ($11.5 million) on it.
Norway’s domestic intelligence service considers the intelligence threat from Russia in the Scandinavian country to have increased, Justice Minister Emilie Enger Mehl said Wednesday.
The money would be spent on staff and equipment. The government also wants to exert more control over Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago in the Arctic with a Russian settlement. Under a 1920 treaty, Norway has sovereignty over Svalbard, but other signatory countries have rights to exploit its natural resources — coal.
The governor of Russia’s Kursk region on the border with Ukraine said Wednesday that Russian border guards were fired at with mortars on Tuesday.
Governor Roman Starovoit said on the messaging app Telegram that the border guards returned fire and that there were “no casualties or destruction” on the Russian side as a result of the incident.
The Ukrainian military has not yet commented on the allegation, and it could not be independently verified.
LONDON — British defense officials say 160,000 people remain trapped in the besieged city of Mariupol, where Russian airstrikes and heavy fighting are continuing.
The Ministry of Defense said in an intelligence update Wednesday that those in the city have “no light, communication, medicine, heat or water.” It accused Russian forces of deliberately preventing humanitarian access, “likely to pressure defenders to surrender.”
Repeated attempts by the International Committee of the Red Cross to get a humanitarian convoy into the southern port city have failed. Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said Russian forces stopped buses accompanied by Red Cross workers from traveling to Mariupol, which had a pre-war population of about 400,000. She said Russian troops allowed 1,496 civilians to leave the Sea of Azov port on Tuesday.
ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey says it shares the pain of the Ukrainian people over the “horrifying” images that emerged from towns near Kyiv and is calling for an independent investigation.
A statement from Turkey’s Foreign Ministry on Wednesday stopped short, however, of blaming Russia or describing the atrocities as a war crime.
Turkey has been measured in its criticism of Russia as it tries to balance its close relations with both Moscow and Kyiv. The country has hosted officials from the two countries for talks in a bid to end the war.
“The targeting of innocent civilians is unacceptable. It is our basic expectation that the issue is subjected to an independent investigation, that those responsible are identified and are held accountable,” the statement read.
Scenes that have emerged from Bucha, Irpin and other Ukrainian towns liberated by Ukrainian forces have led to accusations of war crimes and demands for tougher sanctions against Russia.
The ministry statement said Turkey would continue its efforts to end such “shameful scenes for humanity and to ensure peace as soon as possible.”
LVIV, Ukraine - Russian forces overnight struck a fuel depot and a factory in Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region, and the number of casualties remains unclear, the region’s governor said Wednesday on the Telegram messaging app.
“The night was alarming and difficult. The enemy attacked our area from the air and hit the oil depot and one of the plants," Gov. Valentyn Reznichenko wrote. "The oil depot with fuel was destroyed. Rescuers are still putting out the flames at the plant. There is a strong fire.”
In the eastern Luhansk region, shelling of the city of Rubizhne on Tuesday killed one and injured five more, Gov. Serhiy Haidai said Wednesday on Telegram.
The Russian military continues to focus its efforts on preparing for an offensive in Ukraine’s east, according to a Wednesday morning update by Ukraine’s General Staff, with the aim “to establish complete control over the territory of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.”
Parts of the two regions have been under control of Russia-backed rebels since 2014 and are recognized by Moscow as independent states.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. | 0 | 42,727 | 0.045136 | https://www.wtnh.com/news/international/live-updates-russia-ukraine-war/ | 2022-04-06 13:58:15+00:00 | WARSAW, Poland – Poland’s government has issued a guide that instructs the public how to prepare for a crisis like war and what to do during attacks with weapons ranging from conventional to chemical and nuclear.
Posted on the Government Security Center’s website this week, the “Be Ready – Guide for Times of Crisis and War” gives detailed instructions in written form and videos.
European Union and NATO member Poland supports neighboring Ukraine’s fight against Russia’s military invasion and is calling for European imports of Russian energy sources to stop. The tough stance has raised concerns among some ordinary Poles.
The guide describes public warning systems in the event of shelling, advises people to stock up on water, food, medication, batteries and flashlights in case of power cuts. It also includes advice on preparing for an evacuation, seeking protection during shelling or shooting, and what to do during a chemical or nuclear attack.
The center says it is obliged to prepare the public for various difficult scenarios and the guide is not necessarily due to the war in Ukraine. Previous guides addressed situations like floods and harsh winter weather.
___
KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR:
— Burned, piled bodies among latest horrors in Bucha, Ukraine
— Russia’s setback in Kyiv was memorable military failure
— At UN, Ukraine President Zelenskyy accuses Russian military of war crimes
— Russian media campaign falsely claims Bucha deaths are fakes
— China calls for probe into Bucha killings, assigns no blame
— US official: US, allies, to ban new investments in Russia
— Go to https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine for more coverage
___
OTHER DEVELOPMENTS:
BRATISLAVA, Slovakia — Slovakia’s Prime Minister Eduard Heger says he will join EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to travel to the Ukrainian capital to meet with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy later this week.
Heger said on Wednesday, “Tomorrow in the evening, I will travel to Kyiv.” He declined to give further details about the trip.
Von der Leyen has planned to travel to Kyiv with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.
___
VILNIUS, Lithuania — Olympic gold medalist Ruta Meilutyte swam in a red-dyed pond outside the Russian Embassy in Vilnius on Wednesday to protest against Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The performance called “Swimming Through” was organized by a local art community. The pond was dyed red with environmentally friendly paint to resemble blood, according to the organizers.
“It’s crucial that we keep acting, spreading truthful information, volunteering, protesting, donating, and pressuring our governments to take action,” Meilutyte said on Instagram.
Meilutyte won gold at the 2012 Games in London as well as gold at the 2013 world championship and European titles in 2014 and 2016.
She served a two-year ban from 2019 through 2021 for failing to make herself available for out-of-competition drug testing.
___
BERLIN — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz says he expects more images to emerge like the ones of dead civilians in the Ukrainian town of Bucha and is assailing Russian assertions that they were staged.
Scholz told Germany’s parliament on Wednesday, “Russian soldiers carried out a massacre of Ukrainian civilians before their withdrawal” from Bucha.
He added: “The cynical assertion spread by Russia that this … is staged falls back on those who spread these lies. The killing of civilians is a war crime.”
Scholz said the perpetrators and the superiors who gave them orders must be held to account. He said: “We must not forget: we have to expect that we will see more such pictures.”
The chancellor said that “the killing by the Russian military is continuing undiminished.” He renewed a call for Russian President Vladimir Putin to “end this destructive and self-destructive war immediately” and withdraw his troops from Ukraine.
___
GENEVA — The top ally and chief strategist of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny is welcoming reports that the U.S. might impose sanctions on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s daughters and says Putin’s “most important confidante” should be sanctioned, too.
Leonid Volkov said Wednesday it isn’t clear what, if any, properties Putin’s daughters might own that could be seized. But he says including them on the next sanctions list would send an important message as part of the response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg, citing people familiar with the matter, reported Tuesday that the Russian leader’s closest family members could be targeted by the next round of sanctions against Russia.
Speaking at the independent Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy, Volkov said Navalny’s anti-corruption movement also wants Western countries to sanction Alina Kabayeva, who won Olympic gold in rhythmic gymnastics in 2004. SHe is reported to be romantically linked to Putin.
___
BERLIN — A German spokesman says the government has information which indicates that bodies found after Ukraine retook Bucha last week had been lying there since at least March 10, when Russian troops were in control of the town.
Steffen Hebestreit told reporters in Berlin on Wednesday that the information was based on non-commercial satellite images taken March 10-18 of Yablonska Street in Bucha.
“Credible information shows that from March 7 to March 30 Russian soldiers and security forces were deployed in this area,” he said. “They were also tasked with the interrogation of prisoners who were subsequently executed.”
Hebestreit said that “targeted killings by units of the Russian military and security forces are therefore proof that the Russian President and supreme commander has at least approvingly accepted human rights abuses and war crimes to achieve his goals.”
“The assertions made by the Russian side that these are staged scenes or they aren’t responsible for the murders are therefore not tenable,” he added.
Asked about the source of this information, Hebestreit said that images reviewed by Germany “were not commercial satellite images.” He declined to elaborate.
___
HELSINKI — The Finnish Customs agency says three consignments seized on the border with Russia contain artworks and artifacts on loan to European institutions from several Russian art museums, with a total insurance value of around 42 million euros ($46 million).
The seizure at the Vaalimaa border point in southeastern Finland on April 2 and April 3 came as the cargo fell under the European Union sanctions imposed on Russia due to the invasion of Ukraine, Finland Customs said on Wednesday.
Finland’s Foreign Ministry says the Russian artworks, including valuable paintings and statues, are classified as luxury items subject to EU sanctions on Russia, and that Finnish Customs had no other option than to temporarily confiscate them.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Teemu Sepponen told public broadcaster YLE that Russian museums will maintain legal ownership or the artworks that “have been temporarily taken over” and are stored in a secure place in Finland.
According to Russian media, the artworks were en route to Russia after having been loan in exhibitions in several museums in Italy, including the Palazzo Reale museum in Milan and the Gallerie d’Italia museum.
— This item has been corrected to show that the art was on loan to European institutions, not Finnish ones.
___
ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey’s defense ministry says authorities have detected a third naval mine drifting in the Black Sea, and military teams have been dispatched to deactivate it.
The explosive device was detected on Wednesday off the coast of northwestern Kocaeli province, and the area has been “secured,” the ministry said.
It was the third mine spotted in Turkish waters since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, including one that forced authorities to close Istanbul’s Bosporus Strait to traffic.
Russia and Ukraine have traded accusations about the naval mines that have been threatening shipping in the Black Sea.
The Russian military has alleged that the Ukrainian military has used old naval mines to protect the coast against a Russian landing and some of them have been ripped off their anchors by a storm and left adrift. Ukraine has accused Russia of using Ukrainian mines it seized after the 2014 annexation of Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula and setting them adrift to discredit Ukraine.
___
COPENHAGEN, Denmark — Norway is following other European nations and expelling Russian diplomats.
Norway’s Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt said Wednesday that three Russian diplomats had carried out activities incompatible with their status.
The timing for the expulsions “was not accidental” and comes “at a time when the whole world is shaken by reports of Russian forces abusing civilians, especially in the city of Bucha,” Huitfeldt said in a statement.
In recent days, numerous European countries have expelled Russian diplomats and staff at Russian diplomatic missions.
___
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov says negotiations with Ukraine are continuing despite allegations of war crimes against civilians in the Kyiv suburb of Bucha.
Peskov said Wednesday the talks continued with Ukraine but that the Bucha revelations — which he referred to as a “staging” — had hampered talks and there was “a fairly long road ahead.”
“The working process continues, but it is going much more tough than we would like. Of course, we would like to see more dynamism from the Ukrainian side, but the process has not been broken off and is continuing,” Peskov said.
Russia retreated from areas around Kyiv and the northern cities of Chernihiv and Sumy after talks with Ukraine in Turkey last week. Ukrainian troops entering the areas found evidence of widespread killings of civilians. Russia denies any war crimes and has alleged Ukraine has faked the incidents.
Since the talks in Turkey, Russia and Ukraine’s delegations have continued talks via video link.
___
GENEVA — The International Committee of the Red Cross says one of its teams in Ukraine has led some 500 people who fled Mariupol in a humanitarian convoy of buses and private cars to a safer location in the embattled country.
The ICRC says its team that has been trying to enter Mariupol since last Friday got within 20 kilometers (12 miles) of the besieged city, but security conditions made it impossible to enter. The convoy escorted the civilians from coastal Berdyansk to Zaporizhzhia, to the north.
“This convoy’s arrival to Zaporizhzhia is a huge relief for hundreds of people who have suffered immensely and are now in a safer location,” said Pascal Hundt, ICRC’s head of delegation in Ukraine. “It’s clear, though, that thousands more civilians trapped inside Mariupol need safe passage out and aid to come in.”
He said the Geneva-based organization remains available as “a neutral intermediary” to help escort civilians out of Mariupol “once concrete agreements and security conditions allow it.”
___
BERLIN — The aid group Doctors without Borders says its staff members have witnessed an attack on a hospital in the Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv.
The group, known by its French acronym MSF, said Wednesday that a four-member team had just entered the city’s cancer hospital when the area came under fire.
It quoted team leader Michel-Olivier Lacharite saying Monday’s attack lasted about 10 minutes. Upon leaving the hospital the team saw several injured people and dead bodies.
Lacharite was quoted as saying the bombardment of the hospital, located in a residential area, was likely to have caused civilian casualties and called on medical facilities not to be targeted.
The group didn’t provide information on which side in the war might have carried out the attack. Under international law, attacks on medical facilities and workers are deemed war crimes.
___
ROME — Italian firefighters have put out a fire at a villa on Lake Como reportedly owned by the pro-Putin Russian television personality Vladimir Soloyvev, who has been hit with European Union sanctions.
An official at the Como fire station confirmed that firefighters extinguished the early morning blaze Wednesday at the villa in Menaggio, one of the picturesque towns that dot the lake in northern Italy.
He said police were investigating the fire as a suspected act of protest. The villa was under renovation and the blaze involved tires at the site, said the official who declined to be identified by name, citing official policy.
Italian daily Corriere della Sera and news agency LaPresse said the villa was owned by Solovyev, a presenter on state run Channel One.
According to the EU list of sanctions, Solovyev is “known for his extremely hostile attitude towards Ukraine and praise of the Russian government.” The EU says he was targeted because of his support for “actions or policies which undermine the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.”
Italian carabinieri are investigating.
___
LONDON — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russia of using hunger as a weapon of war by deliberately targeting Ukraine’s essential food supplies.
In an address to Irish lawmakers Wednesday, Zelenskyy said Russian forces “are destroying things that are sustaining livelihoods” including food storage depots, blocking ports so Ukraine could not export food and “putting mines into the fields.”
“For them hunger is also a weapon, a weapon against us ordinary people,” he said, accusing Russia of “deliberately provoking a food crisis” in Ukraine, a major global producer of staples including wheat and sunflower oil.
He said it would have international ramifications, because “there will be a shortage of food and the prices will go up, and this is reality for the millions of people who are hungry, and it will be more difficult for them to feed their families.”
Zelenskyy spoke by video to a joint session of Ireland’s two houses of parliament, the latest in a string of international addresses he has used to rally support for Ukraine.
___
BRUSSELS — A senior European Union official says the bloc’s member countries should think about ways of offering asylum to Russian soldiers willing to desert Ukraine battlefields.
European Council president Charles Michel on Wednesday expressed his “outrage at crimes against humanity, against innocent civilians in Bucha and in many other cities.”
He called on Russian soldiers to disobey orders.
“If you want no part in killing your Ukrainian brothers and sisters, if you don’t want to be a criminal, drop your weapons, stop fighting, leave the battlefield,” Michel, who represents the bloc’s governments, said in a speech to the European Parliament
Endorsing an idea previously circulated by some EU lawmakers, Michel added that granting asylum to Russian deserters is “a valuable idea that should be pursued.”
___
ATHENS, Greece — Greece has joined a list of European countries expelling Russian diplomats, with the foreign ministry announcing on Wednesday it had declared 12 diplomats unwelcome.
The ministry said it had declared 12 members of Russian diplomatic and consular missions accredited to Greece as “personae non gratae,” and that the Russian ambassador had been informed.
It did not specify which diplomats were being expelled or state a reason, beyond citing that the move was carried out in accordance with international treaties.
___
BERLIN — Germany’s foreign minister has accused Russia of spreading disinformation to justify its war in Ukraine.
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Wednesday that “as Russian tanks destroy Ukrainian cities, the Kremlin’s propaganda machine is censoring news, restricting social media, spreading disinformation and punishing those who dare to speak the truth.”
She said the aim was “both clear and cynical: to demoralize the courageous people of Ukraine while keeping Russians in the dark.”
Baerbock spoke in a video message to a conference on disinformation organized by her ministry at which participants also cited examples of Russian efforts to stoke resentment in Europe against refugees from Ukraine.
___
LONDON — Intel says it is suspending all its business operations in Russia, becoming the latest foreign company to leave because of Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
“Effective immediately, we have suspended all business operations in Russia,” the U.S. chipmaker said late Wednesday.
The company had already suspended shipments to customers in Russia and neighboring ally Belarus after the war broke out.
Intel said it’s working to support its 1,200 employees in Russia and has put in place “business continuity measures” to reduce disruption to its global operations, though it didn’t provide details.
“Intel continues to join the global community in condemning Russia’s war against Ukraine and calling for a swift return to peace,” it said in a statement.
___
BEIJING — China says the reports and images of civilian deaths in the Ukrainian town of Bucha are “deeply disturbing” and it is calling for an investigation.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said Wednesday that China supports all initiatives and measures “conducive to alleviating the humanitarian crisis” in the country and is “ready to continue to work together with the international community to prevent any harm to civilians.”
The killings in Bucha may serve to put further pressure on Beijing over its largely pro-Russian stance and attempts to guide public opinion over the war.
China has called for talks while refusing to criticize Russia over its invasion. It opposes economic sanctions on Moscow and blames Washington and NATO for provoking the war and fueling the conflict by sending arms to Ukraine.
Zhao’s remarks echo those the previous day of China’s ambassador to the United Nations, Zhang Jun, who called for an investigation, describing the reports and images of civilian deaths in Bucha as “deeply disturbing.”
___
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis has kissed a battered Ukrainian flag that was brought to him from the Ukrainian city of Bucha and called again for an end to the war.
Francis welcomed a half-dozen Ukrainian children up to the stage of the Vatican audience hall at the end of his Wednesday general audience and gave them each a giant chocolate Easter egg. He urged prayers for them and for all Ukrainians.
“The recent news from the war in Ukraine, instead of bringing relief and hope, brought testimony of new atrocities, like the massacre in Bucha, even more horrendous cruelty carried out against civilians, defenseless women and children,” the pope said.
He told the crowd: “These children had to flee to arrive in a safe place. This is the fruit of war.”
The pontiff held up a grimy Ukrainian flag that he said had arrived at the Vatican on Tuesday from Bucha, where evidence has emerged of what appears to be intentional killings of civilians during the city’s occupation by Russian troops.
Kissing it, he said: “This flag comes from the war, from that martyred city Bucha …. Let us not forget them. Let us not forget the people of Ukraine.”
___
BUDAPEST, Hungary — Hungary’s Foreign Ministry summoned the Ukrainian ambassador on Wednesday after days of the two countries’ officials trading barbs over Hungary’s position on the war.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto wrote in a social media post on Wednesday that “we condemn military aggression, we stand by Ukraine’s sovereignty,” but that “this is not our war, so we want to and will stay out of it.”
Hungary’s government has refused to supply weapons to Ukraine or allow their transfer across the Hungarian-Ukrainian border, and has fought against applying sanctions on Russian energy imports.
That position has prompted criticism of Hungary’s government by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenksyy. He said in an address on Ukrainian television that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban would need to choose between Moscow and “the other world” of the West.
Orban, who won a landslide victory in Hungarian elections on Sunday, in a victory speech depicted Zelenskyy as one of the opponents he and his right-wing party had defeated.
___
COPENHAGEN, Denmark — Norway is beefing up its police and intelligence work, chiefly in the northern part of the country, which has a nearly 200-kilometer (124-mile) land border with Russia, and wants to spend 100 million kroner ($11.5 million) on it.
Norway’s domestic intelligence service considers the intelligence threat from Russia in the Scandinavian country to have increased, Justice Minister Emilie Enger Mehl said Wednesday.
The money would be spent on staff and equipment. The government also wants to exert more control over Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago in the Arctic with a Russian settlement. Under a 1920 treaty, Norway has sovereignty over Svalbard, but other signatory countries have rights to exploit its natural resources — coal.
___
The governor of Russia’s Kursk region on the border with Ukraine said Wednesday that Russian border guards were fired at with mortars on Tuesday.
Governor Roman Starovoit said on the messaging app Telegram that the border guards returned fire and that there were “no casualties or destruction” on the Russian side as a result of the incident.
The Ukrainian military has not yet commented on the allegation, and it could not be independently verified.
___
LONDON — British defense officials say 160,000 people remain trapped in the besieged city of Mariupol, where Russian airstrikes and heavy fighting are continuing.
The Ministry of Defense said in an intelligence update Wednesday that those in the city have “no light, communication, medicine, heat or water.” It accused Russian forces of deliberately preventing humanitarian access, “likely to pressure defenders to surrender.”
Repeated attempts by the International Committee of the Red Cross to get a humanitarian convoy into the southern port city have failed. Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said Russian forces stopped buses accompanied by Red Cross workers from traveling to Mariupol, which had a pre-war population of about 400,000. She said Russian troops allowed 1,496 civilians to leave the Sea of Azov port on Tuesday.
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ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey says it shares the pain of the Ukrainian people over the “horrifying” images that emerged from towns near Kyiv and is calling for an independent investigation.
A statement from Turkey’s Foreign Ministry on Wednesday stopped short, however, of blaming Russia or describing the atrocities as a war crime.
Turkey has been measured in its criticism of Russia as it tries to balance its close relations with both Moscow and Kyiv. The country has hosted officials from the two countries for talks in a bid to end the war.
“The targeting of innocent civilians is unacceptable. It is our basic expectation that the issue is subjected to an independent investigation, that those responsible are identified and are held accountable,” the statement read.
Scenes that have emerged from Bucha, Irpin and other Ukrainian towns liberated by Ukrainian forces have led to accusations of war crimes and demands for tougher sanctions against Russia.
The ministry statement said Turkey would continue its efforts to end such “shameful scenes for humanity and to ensure peace as soon as possible.”
___
LVIV, Ukraine – Russian forces overnight struck a fuel depot and a factory in Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region, and the number of casualties remains unclear, the region’s governor said Wednesday on the Telegram messaging app.
“The night was alarming and difficult. The enemy attacked our area from the air and hit the oil depot and one of the plants,” Gov. Valentyn Reznichenko wrote. “The oil depot with fuel was destroyed. Rescuers are still putting out the flames at the plant. There is a strong fire.”
In the eastern Luhansk region, shelling of the city of Rubizhne on Tuesday killed one and injured five more, Gov. Serhiy Haidai said Wednesday on Telegram.
The Russian military continues to focus its efforts on preparing for an offensive in Ukraine’s east, according to a Wednesday morning update by Ukraine’s General Staff, with the aim “to establish complete control over the territory of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.”
Parts of the two regions have been under control of Russia-backed rebels since 2014 and are recognized by Moscow as independent states. |
https://wcfcourier.com/news/national/live-updates-poland-gives-citizens-crisis-preparation-tips/article_3ec6f780-2670-5ec4-8367-5c959a8b47bb.html | WARSAW, Poland – Poland’s government has issued a guide that instructs the public how to prepare for a crisis like war and what to do during attacks with weapons ranging from conventional to chemical and nuclear.
Posted on the Government Security Center’s website this week, the “Be Ready – Guide for Times of Crisis and War” gives detailed instructions in written form and videos.
European Union and NATO member Poland supports neighboring Ukraine’s fight against Russia’s military invasion and is calling for European imports of Russian energy sources to stop. The tough stance has raised concerns among some ordinary Poles.
The guide describes public warning systems in the event of shelling, advises people to stock up on water, food, medication, batteries and flashlights in case of power cuts. It also includes advice on preparing for an evacuation, seeking protection during shelling or shooting, and what to do during a chemical or nuclear attack.
The center says it is obliged to prepare the public for various difficult scenarios and the guide is not necessarily due to the war in Ukraine. Previous guides addressed situations like floods and harsh winter weather.
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KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR:
— Burned, piled bodies among latest horrors in Bucha, Ukraine
— Russia's setback in Kyiv was memorable military failure
— At UN, Ukraine President Zelenskyy accuses Russian military of war crimes
— Russian media campaign falsely claims Bucha deaths are fakes
— China calls for probe into Bucha killings, assigns no blame
— US official: US, allies, to ban new investments in Russia
— Go to https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine for more coverage
OTHER DEVELOPMENTS:
BRATISLAVA, Slovakia — Slovakia’s Prime Minister Eduard Heger says he will join EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to travel to the Ukrainian capital to meet with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy later this week.
Heger said on Wednesday, “Tomorrow in the evening, I will travel to Kyiv.” He declined to give further details about the trip.
Von der Leyen has planned to travel to Kyiv with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.
VILNIUS, Lithuania — Olympic gold medalist Ruta Meilutyte swam in a red-dyed pond outside the Russian Embassy in Vilnius on Wednesday to protest against Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The performance called “Swimming Through” was organized by a local art community. The pond was dyed red with environmentally friendly paint to resemble blood, according to the organizers.
“It’s crucial that we keep acting, spreading truthful information, volunteering, protesting, donating, and pressuring our governments to take action,” Meilutyte said on Instagram.
Meilutyte won gold at the 2012 Games in London as well as gold at the 2013 world championship and European titles in 2014 and 2016.
She served a two-year ban from 2019 through 2021 for failing to make herself available for out-of-competition drug testing.
BERLIN -- German Chancellor Olaf Scholz says he expects more images to emerge like the ones of dead civilians in the Ukrainian town of Bucha and is assailing Russian assertions that they were staged.
Scholz told Germany’s parliament on Wednesday, “Russian soldiers carried out a massacre of Ukrainian civilians before their withdrawal” from Bucha.
He added: “The cynical assertion spread by Russia that this … is staged falls back on those who spread these lies. The killing of civilians is a war crime.”
Scholz said the perpetrators and the superiors who gave them orders must be held to account. He said: “We must not forget: we have to expect that we will see more such pictures.”
The chancellor said that “the killing by the Russian military is continuing undiminished.” He renewed a call for Russian President Vladimir Putin to “end this destructive and self-destructive war immediately” and withdraw his troops from Ukraine.
GENEVA — The top ally and chief strategist of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny is welcoming reports that the U.S. might impose sanctions on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s daughters and says Putin’s “most important confidante” should be sanctioned, too.
Leonid Volkov said Wednesday it isn’t clear what, if any, properties Putin’s daughters might own that could be seized. But he says including them on the next sanctions list would send an important message as part of the response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg, citing people familiar with the matter, reported Tuesday that the Russian leader’s closest family members could be targeted by the next round of sanctions against Russia.
Speaking at the independent Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy, Volkov said Navalny’s anti-corruption movement also wants Western countries to sanction Alina Kabayeva, who won Olympic gold in rhythmic gymnastics in 2004. SHe is reported to be romantically linked to Putin.
BERLIN — A German spokesman says the government has information which indicates that bodies found after Ukraine retook Bucha last week had been lying there since at least March 10, when Russian troops were in control of the town.
Steffen Hebestreit told reporters in Berlin on Wednesday that the information was based on non-commercial satellite images taken March 10-18 of Yablonska Street in Bucha.
“Credible information shows that from March 7 to March 30 Russian soldiers and security forces were deployed in this area,” he said. “They were also tasked with the interrogation of prisoners who were subsequently executed.”
Hebestreit said that “targeted killings by units of the Russian military and security forces are therefore proof that the Russian President and supreme commander has at least approvingly accepted human rights abuses and war crimes to achieve his goals.”
“The assertions made by the Russian side that these are staged scenes or they aren’t responsible for the murders are therefore not tenable,” he added.
Asked about the source of this information, Hebestreit said that images reviewed by Germany “were not commercial satellite images.” He declined to elaborate.
HELSINKI — The Finnish Customs agency says three consignments seized on the border with Russia contain artworks and artifacts on loan to European institutions from several Russian art museums, with a total insurance value of around 42 million euros ($46 million).
The seizure at the Vaalimaa border point in southeastern Finland on April 2 and April 3 came as the cargo fell under the European Union sanctions imposed on Russia due to the invasion of Ukraine, Finland Customs said on Wednesday.
Finland’s Foreign Ministry says the Russian artworks, including valuable paintings and statues, are classified as luxury items subject to EU sanctions on Russia, and that Finnish Customs had no other option than to temporarily confiscate them.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Teemu Sepponen told public broadcaster YLE that Russian museums will maintain legal ownership or the artworks that “have been temporarily taken over” and are stored in a secure place in Finland.
According to Russian media, the artworks were en route to Russia after having been loan in exhibitions in several museums in Italy, including the Palazzo Reale museum in Milan and the Gallerie d’Italia museum.
— This item has been corrected to show that the art was on loan to European institutions, not Finnish ones.
ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey’s defense ministry says authorities have detected a third naval mine drifting in the Black Sea, and military teams have been dispatched to deactivate it.
The explosive device was detected on Wednesday off the coast of northwestern Kocaeli province, and the area has been “secured,” the ministry said.
It was the third mine spotted in Turkish waters since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, including one that forced authorities to close Istanbul’s Bosporus Strait to traffic.
Russia and Ukraine have traded accusations about the naval mines that have been threatening shipping in the Black Sea.
The Russian military has alleged that the Ukrainian military has used old naval mines to protect the coast against a Russian landing and some of them have been ripped off their anchors by a storm and left adrift. Ukraine has accused Russia of using Ukrainian mines it seized after the 2014 annexation of Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula and setting them adrift to discredit Ukraine.
COPENHAGEN, Denmark — Norway is following other European nations and expelling Russian diplomats.
Norway’s Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt said Wednesday that three Russian diplomats had carried out activities incompatible with their status.
The timing for the expulsions “was not accidental” and comes “at a time when the whole world is shaken by reports of Russian forces abusing civilians, especially in the city of Bucha,” Huitfeldt said in a statement.
In recent days, numerous European countries have expelled Russian diplomats and staff at Russian diplomatic missions.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov says negotiations with Ukraine are continuing despite allegations of war crimes against civilians in the Kyiv suburb of Bucha.
Peskov said Wednesday the talks continued with Ukraine but that the Bucha revelations — which he referred to as a “staging” — had hampered talks and there was “a fairly long road ahead.”
“The working process continues, but it is going much more tough than we would like. Of course, we would like to see more dynamism from the Ukrainian side, but the process has not been broken off and is continuing,” Peskov said.
Russia retreated from areas around Kyiv and the northern cities of Chernihiv and Sumy after talks with Ukraine in Turkey last week. Ukrainian troops entering the areas found evidence of widespread killings of civilians. Russia denies any war crimes and has alleged Ukraine has faked the incidents.
Since the talks in Turkey, Russia and Ukraine’s delegations have continued talks via video link.
GENEVA — The International Committee of the Red Cross says one of its teams in Ukraine has led some 500 people who fled Mariupol in a humanitarian convoy of buses and private cars to a safer location in the embattled country.
The ICRC says its team that has been trying to enter Mariupol since last Friday got within 20 kilometers (12 miles) of the besieged city, but security conditions made it impossible to enter. The convoy escorted the civilians from coastal Berdyansk to Zaporizhzhia, to the north.
“This convoy’s arrival to Zaporizhzhia is a huge relief for hundreds of people who have suffered immensely and are now in a safer location,” said Pascal Hundt, ICRC’s head of delegation in Ukraine. “It’s clear, though, that thousands more civilians trapped inside Mariupol need safe passage out and aid to come in.”
He said the Geneva-based organization remains available as “a neutral intermediary” to help escort civilians out of Mariupol “once concrete agreements and security conditions allow it.”
BERLIN — The aid group Doctors without Borders says its staff members have witnessed an attack on a hospital in the Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv.
The group, known by its French acronym MSF, said Wednesday that a four-member team had just entered the city’s cancer hospital when the area came under fire.
It quoted team leader Michel-Olivier Lacharite saying Monday’s attack lasted about 10 minutes. Upon leaving the hospital the team saw several injured people and dead bodies.
Lacharite was quoted as saying the bombardment of the hospital, located in a residential area, was likely to have caused civilian casualties and called on medical facilities not to be targeted.
The group didn’t provide information on which side in the war might have carried out the attack. Under international law, attacks on medical facilities and workers are deemed war crimes.
ROME — Italian firefighters have put out a fire at a villa on Lake Como reportedly owned by the pro-Putin Russian television personality Vladimir Soloyvev, who has been hit with European Union sanctions.
An official at the Como fire station confirmed that firefighters extinguished the early morning blaze Wednesday at the villa in Menaggio, one of the picturesque towns that dot the lake in northern Italy.
He said police were investigating the fire as a suspected act of protest. The villa was under renovation and the blaze involved tires at the site, said the official who declined to be identified by name, citing official policy.
Italian daily Corriere della Sera and news agency LaPresse said the villa was owned by Solovyev, a presenter on state run Channel One.
According to the EU list of sanctions, Solovyev is “known for his extremely hostile attitude towards Ukraine and praise of the Russian government.” The EU says he was targeted because of his support for “actions or policies which undermine the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.”
Italian carabinieri are investigating.
LONDON — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russia of using hunger as a weapon of war by deliberately targeting Ukraine’s essential food supplies.
In an address to Irish lawmakers Wednesday, Zelenskyy said Russian forces “are destroying things that are sustaining livelihoods” including food storage depots, blocking ports so Ukraine could not export food and “putting mines into the fields.”
“For them hunger is also a weapon, a weapon against us ordinary people,” he said, accusing Russia of “deliberately provoking a food crisis” in Ukraine, a major global producer of staples including wheat and sunflower oil.
He said it would have international ramifications, because “there will be a shortage of food and the prices will go up, and this is reality for the millions of people who are hungry, and it will be more difficult for them to feed their families.”
Zelenskyy spoke by video to a joint session of Ireland’s two houses of parliament, the latest in a string of international addresses he has used to rally support for Ukraine.
BRUSSELS — A senior European Union official says the bloc’s member countries should think about ways of offering asylum to Russian soldiers willing to desert Ukraine battlefields.
European Council president Charles Michel on Wednesday expressed his “outrage at crimes against humanity, against innocent civilians in Bucha and in many other cities.”
He called on Russian soldiers to disobey orders.
“If you want no part in killing your Ukrainian brothers and sisters, if you don’t want to be a criminal, drop your weapons, stop fighting, leave the battlefield,” Michel, who represents the bloc’s governments, said in a speech to the European Parliament
Endorsing an idea previously circulated by some EU lawmakers, Michel added that granting asylum to Russian deserters is “a valuable idea that should be pursued.”
ATHENS, Greece — Greece has joined a list of European countries expelling Russian diplomats, with the foreign ministry announcing on Wednesday it had declared 12 diplomats unwelcome.
The ministry said it had declared 12 members of Russian diplomatic and consular missions accredited to Greece as “personae non gratae,” and that the Russian ambassador had been informed.
It did not specify which diplomats were being expelled or state a reason, beyond citing that the move was carried out in accordance with international treaties.
BERLIN — Germany’s foreign minister has accused Russia of spreading disinformation to justify its war in Ukraine.
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Wednesday that “as Russian tanks destroy Ukrainian cities, the Kremlin’s propaganda machine is censoring news, restricting social media, spreading disinformation and punishing those who dare to speak the truth.”
She said the aim was “both clear and cynical: to demoralize the courageous people of Ukraine while keeping Russians in the dark.”
Baerbock spoke in a video message to a conference on disinformation organized by her ministry at which participants also cited examples of Russian efforts to stoke resentment in Europe against refugees from Ukraine.
LONDON — Intel says it is suspending all its business operations in Russia, becoming the latest foreign company to leave because of Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
“Effective immediately, we have suspended all business operations in Russia,” the U.S. chipmaker said late Wednesday.
The company had already suspended shipments to customers in Russia and neighboring ally Belarus after the war broke out.
Intel said it’s working to support its 1,200 employees in Russia and has put in place “business continuity measures” to reduce disruption to its global operations, though it didn’t provide details.
“Intel continues to join the global community in condemning Russia’s war against Ukraine and calling for a swift return to peace,” it said in a statement.
BEIJING — China says the reports and images of civilian deaths in the Ukrainian town of Bucha are “deeply disturbing” and it is calling for an investigation.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said Wednesday that China supports all initiatives and measures “conducive to alleviating the humanitarian crisis” in the country and is “ready to continue to work together with the international community to prevent any harm to civilians.”
The killings in Bucha may serve to put further pressure on Beijing over its largely pro-Russian stance and attempts to guide public opinion over the war.
China has called for talks while refusing to criticize Russia over its invasion. It opposes economic sanctions on Moscow and blames Washington and NATO for provoking the war and fueling the conflict by sending arms to Ukraine.
Zhao’s remarks echo those the previous day of China’s ambassador to the United Nations, Zhang Jun, who called for an investigation, describing the reports and images of civilian deaths in Bucha as “deeply disturbing.”
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis has kissed a battered Ukrainian flag that was brought to him from the Ukrainian city of Bucha and called again for an end to the war.
Francis welcomed a half-dozen Ukrainian children up to the stage of the Vatican audience hall at the end of his Wednesday general audience and gave them each a giant chocolate Easter egg. He urged prayers for them and for all Ukrainians.
“The recent news from the war in Ukraine, instead of bringing relief and hope, brought testimony of new atrocities, like the massacre in Bucha, even more horrendous cruelty carried out against civilians, defenseless women and children," the pope said.
He told the crowd: “These children had to flee to arrive in a safe place. This is the fruit of war.”
The pontiff held up a grimy Ukrainian flag that he said had arrived at the Vatican on Tuesday from Bucha, where evidence has emerged of what appears to be intentional killings of civilians during the city’s occupation by Russian troops.
Kissing it, he said: “This flag comes from the war, from that martyred city Bucha .... Let us not forget them. Let us not forget the people of Ukraine.”
BUDAPEST, Hungary — Hungary’s Foreign Ministry summoned the Ukrainian ambassador on Wednesday after days of the two countries’ officials trading barbs over Hungary’s position on the war.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto wrote in a social media post on Wednesday that “we condemn military aggression, we stand by Ukraine’s sovereignty,” but that “this is not our war, so we want to and will stay out of it.”
Hungary’s government has refused to supply weapons to Ukraine or allow their transfer across the Hungarian-Ukrainian border, and has fought against applying sanctions on Russian energy imports.
That position has prompted criticism of Hungary’s government by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenksyy. He said in an address on Ukrainian television that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban would need to choose between Moscow and “the other world” of the West.
Orban, who won a landslide victory in Hungarian elections on Sunday, in a victory speech depicted Zelenskyy as one of the opponents he and his right-wing party had defeated.
COPENHAGEN, Denmark — Norway is beefing up its police and intelligence work, chiefly in the northern part of the country, which has a nearly 200-kilometer (124-mile) land border with Russia, and wants to spend 100 million kroner ($11.5 million) on it.
Norway’s domestic intelligence service considers the intelligence threat from Russia in the Scandinavian country to have increased, Justice Minister Emilie Enger Mehl said Wednesday.
The money would be spent on staff and equipment. The government also wants to exert more control over Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago in the Arctic with a Russian settlement. Under a 1920 treaty, Norway has sovereignty over Svalbard, but other signatory countries have rights to exploit its natural resources — coal.
The governor of Russia’s Kursk region on the border with Ukraine said Wednesday that Russian border guards were fired at with mortars on Tuesday.
Governor Roman Starovoit said on the messaging app Telegram that the border guards returned fire and that there were “no casualties or destruction” on the Russian side as a result of the incident.
The Ukrainian military has not yet commented on the allegation, and it could not be independently verified.
LONDON — British defense officials say 160,000 people remain trapped in the besieged city of Mariupol, where Russian airstrikes and heavy fighting are continuing.
The Ministry of Defense said in an intelligence update Wednesday that those in the city have “no light, communication, medicine, heat or water.” It accused Russian forces of deliberately preventing humanitarian access, “likely to pressure defenders to surrender.”
Repeated attempts by the International Committee of the Red Cross to get a humanitarian convoy into the southern port city have failed. Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said Russian forces stopped buses accompanied by Red Cross workers from traveling to Mariupol, which had a pre-war population of about 400,000. She said Russian troops allowed 1,496 civilians to leave the Sea of Azov port on Tuesday.
ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey says it shares the pain of the Ukrainian people over the “horrifying” images that emerged from towns near Kyiv and is calling for an independent investigation.
A statement from Turkey’s Foreign Ministry on Wednesday stopped short, however, of blaming Russia or describing the atrocities as a war crime.
Turkey has been measured in its criticism of Russia as it tries to balance its close relations with both Moscow and Kyiv. The country has hosted officials from the two countries for talks in a bid to end the war.
“The targeting of innocent civilians is unacceptable. It is our basic expectation that the issue is subjected to an independent investigation, that those responsible are identified and are held accountable,” the statement read.
Scenes that have emerged from Bucha, Irpin and other Ukrainian towns liberated by Ukrainian forces have led to accusations of war crimes and demands for tougher sanctions against Russia.
The ministry statement said Turkey would continue its efforts to end such “shameful scenes for humanity and to ensure peace as soon as possible.”
LVIV, Ukraine - Russian forces overnight struck a fuel depot and a factory in Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region, and the number of casualties remains unclear, the region’s governor said Wednesday on the Telegram messaging app.
“The night was alarming and difficult. The enemy attacked our area from the air and hit the oil depot and one of the plants," Gov. Valentyn Reznichenko wrote. "The oil depot with fuel was destroyed. Rescuers are still putting out the flames at the plant. There is a strong fire.”
In the eastern Luhansk region, shelling of the city of Rubizhne on Tuesday killed one and injured five more, Gov. Serhiy Haidai said Wednesday on Telegram.
The Russian military continues to focus its efforts on preparing for an offensive in Ukraine’s east, according to a Wednesday morning update by Ukraine’s General Staff, with the aim “to establish complete control over the territory of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.”
Parts of the two regions have been under control of Russia-backed rebels since 2014 and are recognized by Moscow as independent states.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. | 1 | 54,741 | 0.045136 | https://www.wane.com/news/live-updates-russia-ukraine-war/ | 2022-04-06 14:47:03+00:00 | WARSAW, Poland – Poland’s government has issued a guide that instructs the public how to prepare for a crisis like war and what to do during attacks with weapons ranging from conventional to chemical and nuclear.
Posted on the Government Security Center’s website this week, the “Be Ready – Guide for Times of Crisis and War” gives detailed instructions in written form and videos.
European Union and NATO member Poland supports neighboring Ukraine’s fight against Russia’s military invasion and is calling for European imports of Russian energy sources to stop. The tough stance has raised concerns among some ordinary Poles.
The guide describes public warning systems in the event of shelling, advises people to stock up on water, food, medication, batteries and flashlights in case of power cuts. It also includes advice on preparing for an evacuation, seeking protection during shelling or shooting, and what to do during a chemical or nuclear attack.
The center says it is obliged to prepare the public for various difficult scenarios and the guide is not necessarily due to the war in Ukraine. Previous guides addressed situations like floods and harsh winter weather.
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KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR:
— Burned, piled bodies among latest horrors in Bucha, Ukraine
— Russia’s setback in Kyiv was memorable military failure
— At UN, Ukraine President Zelenskyy accuses Russian military of war crimes
— Russian media campaign falsely claims Bucha deaths are fakes
— China calls for probe into Bucha killings, assigns no blame
— US official: US, allies, to ban new investments in Russia
— Go to https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine for more coverage
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OTHER DEVELOPMENTS:
BRATISLAVA, Slovakia — Slovakia’s Prime Minister Eduard Heger says he will join EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to travel to the Ukrainian capital to meet with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy later this week.
Heger said on Wednesday, “Tomorrow in the evening, I will travel to Kyiv.” He declined to give further details about the trip.
Von der Leyen has planned to travel to Kyiv with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.
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VILNIUS, Lithuania — Olympic gold medalist Ruta Meilutyte swam in a red-dyed pond outside the Russian Embassy in Vilnius on Wednesday to protest against Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The performance called “Swimming Through” was organized by a local art community. The pond was dyed red with environmentally friendly paint to resemble blood, according to the organizers.
“It’s crucial that we keep acting, spreading truthful information, volunteering, protesting, donating, and pressuring our governments to take action,” Meilutyte said on Instagram.
Meilutyte won gold at the 2012 Games in London as well as gold at the 2013 world championship and European titles in 2014 and 2016.
She served a two-year ban from 2019 through 2021 for failing to make herself available for out-of-competition drug testing.
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BERLIN — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz says he expects more images to emerge like the ones of dead civilians in the Ukrainian town of Bucha and is assailing Russian assertions that they were staged.
Scholz told Germany’s parliament on Wednesday, “Russian soldiers carried out a massacre of Ukrainian civilians before their withdrawal” from Bucha.
He added: “The cynical assertion spread by Russia that this … is staged falls back on those who spread these lies. The killing of civilians is a war crime.”
Scholz said the perpetrators and the superiors who gave them orders must be held to account. He said: “We must not forget: we have to expect that we will see more such pictures.”
The chancellor said that “the killing by the Russian military is continuing undiminished.” He renewed a call for Russian President Vladimir Putin to “end this destructive and self-destructive war immediately” and withdraw his troops from Ukraine.
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GENEVA — The top ally and chief strategist of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny is welcoming reports that the U.S. might impose sanctions on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s daughters and says Putin’s “most important confidante” should be sanctioned, too.
Leonid Volkov said Wednesday it isn’t clear what, if any, properties Putin’s daughters might own that could be seized. But he says including them on the next sanctions list would send an important message as part of the response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg, citing people familiar with the matter, reported Tuesday that the Russian leader’s closest family members could be targeted by the next round of sanctions against Russia.
Speaking at the independent Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy, Volkov said Navalny’s anti-corruption movement also wants Western countries to sanction Alina Kabayeva, who won Olympic gold in rhythmic gymnastics in 2004. SHe is reported to be romantically linked to Putin.
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BERLIN — A German spokesman says the government has information which indicates that bodies found after Ukraine retook Bucha last week had been lying there since at least March 10, when Russian troops were in control of the town.
Steffen Hebestreit told reporters in Berlin on Wednesday that the information was based on non-commercial satellite images taken March 10-18 of Yablonska Street in Bucha.
“Credible information shows that from March 7 to March 30 Russian soldiers and security forces were deployed in this area,” he said. “They were also tasked with the interrogation of prisoners who were subsequently executed.”
Hebestreit said that “targeted killings by units of the Russian military and security forces are therefore proof that the Russian President and supreme commander has at least approvingly accepted human rights abuses and war crimes to achieve his goals.”
“The assertions made by the Russian side that these are staged scenes or they aren’t responsible for the murders are therefore not tenable,” he added.
Asked about the source of this information, Hebestreit said that images reviewed by Germany “were not commercial satellite images.” He declined to elaborate.
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HELSINKI — The Finnish Customs agency says three consignments seized on the border with Russia contain artworks and artifacts on loan to European institutions from several Russian art museums, with a total insurance value of around 42 million euros ($46 million).
The seizure at the Vaalimaa border point in southeastern Finland on April 2 and April 3 came as the cargo fell under the European Union sanctions imposed on Russia due to the invasion of Ukraine, Finland Customs said on Wednesday.
Finland’s Foreign Ministry says the Russian artworks, including valuable paintings and statues, are classified as luxury items subject to EU sanctions on Russia, and that Finnish Customs had no other option than to temporarily confiscate them.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Teemu Sepponen told public broadcaster YLE that Russian museums will maintain legal ownership or the artworks that “have been temporarily taken over” and are stored in a secure place in Finland.
According to Russian media, the artworks were en route to Russia after having been loan in exhibitions in several museums in Italy, including the Palazzo Reale museum in Milan and the Gallerie d’Italia museum.
— This item has been corrected to show that the art was on loan to European institutions, not Finnish ones.
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ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey’s defense ministry says authorities have detected a third naval mine drifting in the Black Sea, and military teams have been dispatched to deactivate it.
The explosive device was detected on Wednesday off the coast of northwestern Kocaeli province, and the area has been “secured,” the ministry said.
It was the third mine spotted in Turkish waters since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, including one that forced authorities to close Istanbul’s Bosporus Strait to traffic.
Russia and Ukraine have traded accusations about the naval mines that have been threatening shipping in the Black Sea.
The Russian military has alleged that the Ukrainian military has used old naval mines to protect the coast against a Russian landing and some of them have been ripped off their anchors by a storm and left adrift. Ukraine has accused Russia of using Ukrainian mines it seized after the 2014 annexation of Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula and setting them adrift to discredit Ukraine.
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COPENHAGEN, Denmark — Norway is following other European nations and expelling Russian diplomats.
Norway’s Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt said Wednesday that three Russian diplomats had carried out activities incompatible with their status.
The timing for the expulsions “was not accidental” and comes “at a time when the whole world is shaken by reports of Russian forces abusing civilians, especially in the city of Bucha,” Huitfeldt said in a statement.
In recent days, numerous European countries have expelled Russian diplomats and staff at Russian diplomatic missions.
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Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov says negotiations with Ukraine are continuing despite allegations of war crimes against civilians in the Kyiv suburb of Bucha.
Peskov said Wednesday the talks continued with Ukraine but that the Bucha revelations — which he referred to as a “staging” — had hampered talks and there was “a fairly long road ahead.”
“The working process continues, but it is going much more tough than we would like. Of course, we would like to see more dynamism from the Ukrainian side, but the process has not been broken off and is continuing,” Peskov said.
Russia retreated from areas around Kyiv and the northern cities of Chernihiv and Sumy after talks with Ukraine in Turkey last week. Ukrainian troops entering the areas found evidence of widespread killings of civilians. Russia denies any war crimes and has alleged Ukraine has faked the incidents.
Since the talks in Turkey, Russia and Ukraine’s delegations have continued talks via video link.
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GENEVA — The International Committee of the Red Cross says one of its teams in Ukraine has led some 500 people who fled Mariupol in a humanitarian convoy of buses and private cars to a safer location in the embattled country.
The ICRC says its team that has been trying to enter Mariupol since last Friday got within 20 kilometers (12 miles) of the besieged city, but security conditions made it impossible to enter. The convoy escorted the civilians from coastal Berdyansk to Zaporizhzhia, to the north.
“This convoy’s arrival to Zaporizhzhia is a huge relief for hundreds of people who have suffered immensely and are now in a safer location,” said Pascal Hundt, ICRC’s head of delegation in Ukraine. “It’s clear, though, that thousands more civilians trapped inside Mariupol need safe passage out and aid to come in.”
He said the Geneva-based organization remains available as “a neutral intermediary” to help escort civilians out of Mariupol “once concrete agreements and security conditions allow it.”
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BERLIN — The aid group Doctors without Borders says its staff members have witnessed an attack on a hospital in the Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv.
The group, known by its French acronym MSF, said Wednesday that a four-member team had just entered the city’s cancer hospital when the area came under fire.
It quoted team leader Michel-Olivier Lacharite saying Monday’s attack lasted about 10 minutes. Upon leaving the hospital the team saw several injured people and dead bodies.
Lacharite was quoted as saying the bombardment of the hospital, located in a residential area, was likely to have caused civilian casualties and called on medical facilities not to be targeted.
The group didn’t provide information on which side in the war might have carried out the attack. Under international law, attacks on medical facilities and workers are deemed war crimes.
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ROME — Italian firefighters have put out a fire at a villa on Lake Como reportedly owned by the pro-Putin Russian television personality Vladimir Soloyvev, who has been hit with European Union sanctions.
An official at the Como fire station confirmed that firefighters extinguished the early morning blaze Wednesday at the villa in Menaggio, one of the picturesque towns that dot the lake in northern Italy.
He said police were investigating the fire as a suspected act of protest. The villa was under renovation and the blaze involved tires at the site, said the official who declined to be identified by name, citing official policy.
Italian daily Corriere della Sera and news agency LaPresse said the villa was owned by Solovyev, a presenter on state run Channel One.
According to the EU list of sanctions, Solovyev is “known for his extremely hostile attitude towards Ukraine and praise of the Russian government.” The EU says he was targeted because of his support for “actions or policies which undermine the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.”
Italian carabinieri are investigating.
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LONDON — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russia of using hunger as a weapon of war by deliberately targeting Ukraine’s essential food supplies.
In an address to Irish lawmakers Wednesday, Zelenskyy said Russian forces “are destroying things that are sustaining livelihoods” including food storage depots, blocking ports so Ukraine could not export food and “putting mines into the fields.”
“For them hunger is also a weapon, a weapon against us ordinary people,” he said, accusing Russia of “deliberately provoking a food crisis” in Ukraine, a major global producer of staples including wheat and sunflower oil.
He said it would have international ramifications, because “there will be a shortage of food and the prices will go up, and this is reality for the millions of people who are hungry, and it will be more difficult for them to feed their families.”
Zelenskyy spoke by video to a joint session of Ireland’s two houses of parliament, the latest in a string of international addresses he has used to rally support for Ukraine.
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BRUSSELS — A senior European Union official says the bloc’s member countries should think about ways of offering asylum to Russian soldiers willing to desert Ukraine battlefields.
European Council president Charles Michel on Wednesday expressed his “outrage at crimes against humanity, against innocent civilians in Bucha and in many other cities.”
He called on Russian soldiers to disobey orders.
“If you want no part in killing your Ukrainian brothers and sisters, if you don’t want to be a criminal, drop your weapons, stop fighting, leave the battlefield,” Michel, who represents the bloc’s governments, said in a speech to the European Parliament
Endorsing an idea previously circulated by some EU lawmakers, Michel added that granting asylum to Russian deserters is “a valuable idea that should be pursued.”
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ATHENS, Greece — Greece has joined a list of European countries expelling Russian diplomats, with the foreign ministry announcing on Wednesday it had declared 12 diplomats unwelcome.
The ministry said it had declared 12 members of Russian diplomatic and consular missions accredited to Greece as “personae non gratae,” and that the Russian ambassador had been informed.
It did not specify which diplomats were being expelled or state a reason, beyond citing that the move was carried out in accordance with international treaties.
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BERLIN — Germany’s foreign minister has accused Russia of spreading disinformation to justify its war in Ukraine.
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Wednesday that “as Russian tanks destroy Ukrainian cities, the Kremlin’s propaganda machine is censoring news, restricting social media, spreading disinformation and punishing those who dare to speak the truth.”
She said the aim was “both clear and cynical: to demoralize the courageous people of Ukraine while keeping Russians in the dark.”
Baerbock spoke in a video message to a conference on disinformation organized by her ministry at which participants also cited examples of Russian efforts to stoke resentment in Europe against refugees from Ukraine.
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LONDON — Intel says it is suspending all its business operations in Russia, becoming the latest foreign company to leave because of Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
“Effective immediately, we have suspended all business operations in Russia,” the U.S. chipmaker said late Wednesday.
The company had already suspended shipments to customers in Russia and neighboring ally Belarus after the war broke out.
Intel said it’s working to support its 1,200 employees in Russia and has put in place “business continuity measures” to reduce disruption to its global operations, though it didn’t provide details.
“Intel continues to join the global community in condemning Russia’s war against Ukraine and calling for a swift return to peace,” it said in a statement.
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BEIJING — China says the reports and images of civilian deaths in the Ukrainian town of Bucha are “deeply disturbing” and it is calling for an investigation.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said Wednesday that China supports all initiatives and measures “conducive to alleviating the humanitarian crisis” in the country and is “ready to continue to work together with the international community to prevent any harm to civilians.”
The killings in Bucha may serve to put further pressure on Beijing over its largely pro-Russian stance and attempts to guide public opinion over the war.
China has called for talks while refusing to criticize Russia over its invasion. It opposes economic sanctions on Moscow and blames Washington and NATO for provoking the war and fueling the conflict by sending arms to Ukraine.
Zhao’s remarks echo those the previous day of China’s ambassador to the United Nations, Zhang Jun, who called for an investigation, describing the reports and images of civilian deaths in Bucha as “deeply disturbing.”
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VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis has kissed a battered Ukrainian flag that was brought to him from the Ukrainian city of Bucha and called again for an end to the war.
Francis welcomed a half-dozen Ukrainian children up to the stage of the Vatican audience hall at the end of his Wednesday general audience and gave them each a giant chocolate Easter egg. He urged prayers for them and for all Ukrainians.
“The recent news from the war in Ukraine, instead of bringing relief and hope, brought testimony of new atrocities, like the massacre in Bucha, even more horrendous cruelty carried out against civilians, defenseless women and children,” the pope said.
He told the crowd: “These children had to flee to arrive in a safe place. This is the fruit of war.”
The pontiff held up a grimy Ukrainian flag that he said had arrived at the Vatican on Tuesday from Bucha, where evidence has emerged of what appears to be intentional killings of civilians during the city’s occupation by Russian troops.
Kissing it, he said: “This flag comes from the war, from that martyred city Bucha …. Let us not forget them. Let us not forget the people of Ukraine.”
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BUDAPEST, Hungary — Hungary’s Foreign Ministry summoned the Ukrainian ambassador on Wednesday after days of the two countries’ officials trading barbs over Hungary’s position on the war.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto wrote in a social media post on Wednesday that “we condemn military aggression, we stand by Ukraine’s sovereignty,” but that “this is not our war, so we want to and will stay out of it.”
Hungary’s government has refused to supply weapons to Ukraine or allow their transfer across the Hungarian-Ukrainian border, and has fought against applying sanctions on Russian energy imports.
That position has prompted criticism of Hungary’s government by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenksyy. He said in an address on Ukrainian television that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban would need to choose between Moscow and “the other world” of the West.
Orban, who won a landslide victory in Hungarian elections on Sunday, in a victory speech depicted Zelenskyy as one of the opponents he and his right-wing party had defeated.
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COPENHAGEN, Denmark — Norway is beefing up its police and intelligence work, chiefly in the northern part of the country, which has a nearly 200-kilometer (124-mile) land border with Russia, and wants to spend 100 million kroner ($11.5 million) on it.
Norway’s domestic intelligence service considers the intelligence threat from Russia in the Scandinavian country to have increased, Justice Minister Emilie Enger Mehl said Wednesday.
The money would be spent on staff and equipment. The government also wants to exert more control over Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago in the Arctic with a Russian settlement. Under a 1920 treaty, Norway has sovereignty over Svalbard, but other signatory countries have rights to exploit its natural resources — coal.
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The governor of Russia’s Kursk region on the border with Ukraine said Wednesday that Russian border guards were fired at with mortars on Tuesday.
Governor Roman Starovoit said on the messaging app Telegram that the border guards returned fire and that there were “no casualties or destruction” on the Russian side as a result of the incident.
The Ukrainian military has not yet commented on the allegation, and it could not be independently verified.
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LONDON — British defense officials say 160,000 people remain trapped in the besieged city of Mariupol, where Russian airstrikes and heavy fighting are continuing.
The Ministry of Defense said in an intelligence update Wednesday that those in the city have “no light, communication, medicine, heat or water.” It accused Russian forces of deliberately preventing humanitarian access, “likely to pressure defenders to surrender.”
Repeated attempts by the International Committee of the Red Cross to get a humanitarian convoy into the southern port city have failed. Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said Russian forces stopped buses accompanied by Red Cross workers from traveling to Mariupol, which had a pre-war population of about 400,000. She said Russian troops allowed 1,496 civilians to leave the Sea of Azov port on Tuesday.
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ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey says it shares the pain of the Ukrainian people over the “horrifying” images that emerged from towns near Kyiv and is calling for an independent investigation.
A statement from Turkey’s Foreign Ministry on Wednesday stopped short, however, of blaming Russia or describing the atrocities as a war crime.
Turkey has been measured in its criticism of Russia as it tries to balance its close relations with both Moscow and Kyiv. The country has hosted officials from the two countries for talks in a bid to end the war.
“The targeting of innocent civilians is unacceptable. It is our basic expectation that the issue is subjected to an independent investigation, that those responsible are identified and are held accountable,” the statement read.
Scenes that have emerged from Bucha, Irpin and other Ukrainian towns liberated by Ukrainian forces have led to accusations of war crimes and demands for tougher sanctions against Russia.
The ministry statement said Turkey would continue its efforts to end such “shameful scenes for humanity and to ensure peace as soon as possible.”
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LVIV, Ukraine – Russian forces overnight struck a fuel depot and a factory in Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region, and the number of casualties remains unclear, the region’s governor said Wednesday on the Telegram messaging app.
“The night was alarming and difficult. The enemy attacked our area from the air and hit the oil depot and one of the plants,” Gov. Valentyn Reznichenko wrote. “The oil depot with fuel was destroyed. Rescuers are still putting out the flames at the plant. There is a strong fire.”
In the eastern Luhansk region, shelling of the city of Rubizhne on Tuesday killed one and injured five more, Gov. Serhiy Haidai said Wednesday on Telegram.
The Russian military continues to focus its efforts on preparing for an offensive in Ukraine’s east, according to a Wednesday morning update by Ukraine’s General Staff, with the aim “to establish complete control over the territory of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.”
Parts of the two regions have been under control of Russia-backed rebels since 2014 and are recognized by Moscow as independent states. |
https://wcfcourier.com/news/national/live-updates-poland-gives-citizens-crisis-preparation-tips/article_3ec6f780-2670-5ec4-8367-5c959a8b47bb.html | WARSAW, Poland – Poland’s government has issued a guide that instructs the public how to prepare for a crisis like war and what to do during attacks with weapons ranging from conventional to chemical and nuclear.
Posted on the Government Security Center’s website this week, the “Be Ready – Guide for Times of Crisis and War” gives detailed instructions in written form and videos.
European Union and NATO member Poland supports neighboring Ukraine’s fight against Russia’s military invasion and is calling for European imports of Russian energy sources to stop. The tough stance has raised concerns among some ordinary Poles.
The guide describes public warning systems in the event of shelling, advises people to stock up on water, food, medication, batteries and flashlights in case of power cuts. It also includes advice on preparing for an evacuation, seeking protection during shelling or shooting, and what to do during a chemical or nuclear attack.
The center says it is obliged to prepare the public for various difficult scenarios and the guide is not necessarily due to the war in Ukraine. Previous guides addressed situations like floods and harsh winter weather.
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KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR:
— Burned, piled bodies among latest horrors in Bucha, Ukraine
— Russia's setback in Kyiv was memorable military failure
— At UN, Ukraine President Zelenskyy accuses Russian military of war crimes
— Russian media campaign falsely claims Bucha deaths are fakes
— China calls for probe into Bucha killings, assigns no blame
— US official: US, allies, to ban new investments in Russia
— Go to https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine for more coverage
OTHER DEVELOPMENTS:
BRATISLAVA, Slovakia — Slovakia’s Prime Minister Eduard Heger says he will join EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to travel to the Ukrainian capital to meet with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy later this week.
Heger said on Wednesday, “Tomorrow in the evening, I will travel to Kyiv.” He declined to give further details about the trip.
Von der Leyen has planned to travel to Kyiv with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.
VILNIUS, Lithuania — Olympic gold medalist Ruta Meilutyte swam in a red-dyed pond outside the Russian Embassy in Vilnius on Wednesday to protest against Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The performance called “Swimming Through” was organized by a local art community. The pond was dyed red with environmentally friendly paint to resemble blood, according to the organizers.
“It’s crucial that we keep acting, spreading truthful information, volunteering, protesting, donating, and pressuring our governments to take action,” Meilutyte said on Instagram.
Meilutyte won gold at the 2012 Games in London as well as gold at the 2013 world championship and European titles in 2014 and 2016.
She served a two-year ban from 2019 through 2021 for failing to make herself available for out-of-competition drug testing.
BERLIN -- German Chancellor Olaf Scholz says he expects more images to emerge like the ones of dead civilians in the Ukrainian town of Bucha and is assailing Russian assertions that they were staged.
Scholz told Germany’s parliament on Wednesday, “Russian soldiers carried out a massacre of Ukrainian civilians before their withdrawal” from Bucha.
He added: “The cynical assertion spread by Russia that this … is staged falls back on those who spread these lies. The killing of civilians is a war crime.”
Scholz said the perpetrators and the superiors who gave them orders must be held to account. He said: “We must not forget: we have to expect that we will see more such pictures.”
The chancellor said that “the killing by the Russian military is continuing undiminished.” He renewed a call for Russian President Vladimir Putin to “end this destructive and self-destructive war immediately” and withdraw his troops from Ukraine.
GENEVA — The top ally and chief strategist of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny is welcoming reports that the U.S. might impose sanctions on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s daughters and says Putin’s “most important confidante” should be sanctioned, too.
Leonid Volkov said Wednesday it isn’t clear what, if any, properties Putin’s daughters might own that could be seized. But he says including them on the next sanctions list would send an important message as part of the response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg, citing people familiar with the matter, reported Tuesday that the Russian leader’s closest family members could be targeted by the next round of sanctions against Russia.
Speaking at the independent Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy, Volkov said Navalny’s anti-corruption movement also wants Western countries to sanction Alina Kabayeva, who won Olympic gold in rhythmic gymnastics in 2004. SHe is reported to be romantically linked to Putin.
BERLIN — A German spokesman says the government has information which indicates that bodies found after Ukraine retook Bucha last week had been lying there since at least March 10, when Russian troops were in control of the town.
Steffen Hebestreit told reporters in Berlin on Wednesday that the information was based on non-commercial satellite images taken March 10-18 of Yablonska Street in Bucha.
“Credible information shows that from March 7 to March 30 Russian soldiers and security forces were deployed in this area,” he said. “They were also tasked with the interrogation of prisoners who were subsequently executed.”
Hebestreit said that “targeted killings by units of the Russian military and security forces are therefore proof that the Russian President and supreme commander has at least approvingly accepted human rights abuses and war crimes to achieve his goals.”
“The assertions made by the Russian side that these are staged scenes or they aren’t responsible for the murders are therefore not tenable,” he added.
Asked about the source of this information, Hebestreit said that images reviewed by Germany “were not commercial satellite images.” He declined to elaborate.
HELSINKI — The Finnish Customs agency says three consignments seized on the border with Russia contain artworks and artifacts on loan to European institutions from several Russian art museums, with a total insurance value of around 42 million euros ($46 million).
The seizure at the Vaalimaa border point in southeastern Finland on April 2 and April 3 came as the cargo fell under the European Union sanctions imposed on Russia due to the invasion of Ukraine, Finland Customs said on Wednesday.
Finland’s Foreign Ministry says the Russian artworks, including valuable paintings and statues, are classified as luxury items subject to EU sanctions on Russia, and that Finnish Customs had no other option than to temporarily confiscate them.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Teemu Sepponen told public broadcaster YLE that Russian museums will maintain legal ownership or the artworks that “have been temporarily taken over” and are stored in a secure place in Finland.
According to Russian media, the artworks were en route to Russia after having been loan in exhibitions in several museums in Italy, including the Palazzo Reale museum in Milan and the Gallerie d’Italia museum.
— This item has been corrected to show that the art was on loan to European institutions, not Finnish ones.
ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey’s defense ministry says authorities have detected a third naval mine drifting in the Black Sea, and military teams have been dispatched to deactivate it.
The explosive device was detected on Wednesday off the coast of northwestern Kocaeli province, and the area has been “secured,” the ministry said.
It was the third mine spotted in Turkish waters since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, including one that forced authorities to close Istanbul’s Bosporus Strait to traffic.
Russia and Ukraine have traded accusations about the naval mines that have been threatening shipping in the Black Sea.
The Russian military has alleged that the Ukrainian military has used old naval mines to protect the coast against a Russian landing and some of them have been ripped off their anchors by a storm and left adrift. Ukraine has accused Russia of using Ukrainian mines it seized after the 2014 annexation of Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula and setting them adrift to discredit Ukraine.
COPENHAGEN, Denmark — Norway is following other European nations and expelling Russian diplomats.
Norway’s Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt said Wednesday that three Russian diplomats had carried out activities incompatible with their status.
The timing for the expulsions “was not accidental” and comes “at a time when the whole world is shaken by reports of Russian forces abusing civilians, especially in the city of Bucha,” Huitfeldt said in a statement.
In recent days, numerous European countries have expelled Russian diplomats and staff at Russian diplomatic missions.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov says negotiations with Ukraine are continuing despite allegations of war crimes against civilians in the Kyiv suburb of Bucha.
Peskov said Wednesday the talks continued with Ukraine but that the Bucha revelations — which he referred to as a “staging” — had hampered talks and there was “a fairly long road ahead.”
“The working process continues, but it is going much more tough than we would like. Of course, we would like to see more dynamism from the Ukrainian side, but the process has not been broken off and is continuing,” Peskov said.
Russia retreated from areas around Kyiv and the northern cities of Chernihiv and Sumy after talks with Ukraine in Turkey last week. Ukrainian troops entering the areas found evidence of widespread killings of civilians. Russia denies any war crimes and has alleged Ukraine has faked the incidents.
Since the talks in Turkey, Russia and Ukraine’s delegations have continued talks via video link.
GENEVA — The International Committee of the Red Cross says one of its teams in Ukraine has led some 500 people who fled Mariupol in a humanitarian convoy of buses and private cars to a safer location in the embattled country.
The ICRC says its team that has been trying to enter Mariupol since last Friday got within 20 kilometers (12 miles) of the besieged city, but security conditions made it impossible to enter. The convoy escorted the civilians from coastal Berdyansk to Zaporizhzhia, to the north.
“This convoy’s arrival to Zaporizhzhia is a huge relief for hundreds of people who have suffered immensely and are now in a safer location,” said Pascal Hundt, ICRC’s head of delegation in Ukraine. “It’s clear, though, that thousands more civilians trapped inside Mariupol need safe passage out and aid to come in.”
He said the Geneva-based organization remains available as “a neutral intermediary” to help escort civilians out of Mariupol “once concrete agreements and security conditions allow it.”
BERLIN — The aid group Doctors without Borders says its staff members have witnessed an attack on a hospital in the Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv.
The group, known by its French acronym MSF, said Wednesday that a four-member team had just entered the city’s cancer hospital when the area came under fire.
It quoted team leader Michel-Olivier Lacharite saying Monday’s attack lasted about 10 minutes. Upon leaving the hospital the team saw several injured people and dead bodies.
Lacharite was quoted as saying the bombardment of the hospital, located in a residential area, was likely to have caused civilian casualties and called on medical facilities not to be targeted.
The group didn’t provide information on which side in the war might have carried out the attack. Under international law, attacks on medical facilities and workers are deemed war crimes.
ROME — Italian firefighters have put out a fire at a villa on Lake Como reportedly owned by the pro-Putin Russian television personality Vladimir Soloyvev, who has been hit with European Union sanctions.
An official at the Como fire station confirmed that firefighters extinguished the early morning blaze Wednesday at the villa in Menaggio, one of the picturesque towns that dot the lake in northern Italy.
He said police were investigating the fire as a suspected act of protest. The villa was under renovation and the blaze involved tires at the site, said the official who declined to be identified by name, citing official policy.
Italian daily Corriere della Sera and news agency LaPresse said the villa was owned by Solovyev, a presenter on state run Channel One.
According to the EU list of sanctions, Solovyev is “known for his extremely hostile attitude towards Ukraine and praise of the Russian government.” The EU says he was targeted because of his support for “actions or policies which undermine the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.”
Italian carabinieri are investigating.
LONDON — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russia of using hunger as a weapon of war by deliberately targeting Ukraine’s essential food supplies.
In an address to Irish lawmakers Wednesday, Zelenskyy said Russian forces “are destroying things that are sustaining livelihoods” including food storage depots, blocking ports so Ukraine could not export food and “putting mines into the fields.”
“For them hunger is also a weapon, a weapon against us ordinary people,” he said, accusing Russia of “deliberately provoking a food crisis” in Ukraine, a major global producer of staples including wheat and sunflower oil.
He said it would have international ramifications, because “there will be a shortage of food and the prices will go up, and this is reality for the millions of people who are hungry, and it will be more difficult for them to feed their families.”
Zelenskyy spoke by video to a joint session of Ireland’s two houses of parliament, the latest in a string of international addresses he has used to rally support for Ukraine.
BRUSSELS — A senior European Union official says the bloc’s member countries should think about ways of offering asylum to Russian soldiers willing to desert Ukraine battlefields.
European Council president Charles Michel on Wednesday expressed his “outrage at crimes against humanity, against innocent civilians in Bucha and in many other cities.”
He called on Russian soldiers to disobey orders.
“If you want no part in killing your Ukrainian brothers and sisters, if you don’t want to be a criminal, drop your weapons, stop fighting, leave the battlefield,” Michel, who represents the bloc’s governments, said in a speech to the European Parliament
Endorsing an idea previously circulated by some EU lawmakers, Michel added that granting asylum to Russian deserters is “a valuable idea that should be pursued.”
ATHENS, Greece — Greece has joined a list of European countries expelling Russian diplomats, with the foreign ministry announcing on Wednesday it had declared 12 diplomats unwelcome.
The ministry said it had declared 12 members of Russian diplomatic and consular missions accredited to Greece as “personae non gratae,” and that the Russian ambassador had been informed.
It did not specify which diplomats were being expelled or state a reason, beyond citing that the move was carried out in accordance with international treaties.
BERLIN — Germany’s foreign minister has accused Russia of spreading disinformation to justify its war in Ukraine.
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Wednesday that “as Russian tanks destroy Ukrainian cities, the Kremlin’s propaganda machine is censoring news, restricting social media, spreading disinformation and punishing those who dare to speak the truth.”
She said the aim was “both clear and cynical: to demoralize the courageous people of Ukraine while keeping Russians in the dark.”
Baerbock spoke in a video message to a conference on disinformation organized by her ministry at which participants also cited examples of Russian efforts to stoke resentment in Europe against refugees from Ukraine.
LONDON — Intel says it is suspending all its business operations in Russia, becoming the latest foreign company to leave because of Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
“Effective immediately, we have suspended all business operations in Russia,” the U.S. chipmaker said late Wednesday.
The company had already suspended shipments to customers in Russia and neighboring ally Belarus after the war broke out.
Intel said it’s working to support its 1,200 employees in Russia and has put in place “business continuity measures” to reduce disruption to its global operations, though it didn’t provide details.
“Intel continues to join the global community in condemning Russia’s war against Ukraine and calling for a swift return to peace,” it said in a statement.
BEIJING — China says the reports and images of civilian deaths in the Ukrainian town of Bucha are “deeply disturbing” and it is calling for an investigation.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said Wednesday that China supports all initiatives and measures “conducive to alleviating the humanitarian crisis” in the country and is “ready to continue to work together with the international community to prevent any harm to civilians.”
The killings in Bucha may serve to put further pressure on Beijing over its largely pro-Russian stance and attempts to guide public opinion over the war.
China has called for talks while refusing to criticize Russia over its invasion. It opposes economic sanctions on Moscow and blames Washington and NATO for provoking the war and fueling the conflict by sending arms to Ukraine.
Zhao’s remarks echo those the previous day of China’s ambassador to the United Nations, Zhang Jun, who called for an investigation, describing the reports and images of civilian deaths in Bucha as “deeply disturbing.”
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis has kissed a battered Ukrainian flag that was brought to him from the Ukrainian city of Bucha and called again for an end to the war.
Francis welcomed a half-dozen Ukrainian children up to the stage of the Vatican audience hall at the end of his Wednesday general audience and gave them each a giant chocolate Easter egg. He urged prayers for them and for all Ukrainians.
“The recent news from the war in Ukraine, instead of bringing relief and hope, brought testimony of new atrocities, like the massacre in Bucha, even more horrendous cruelty carried out against civilians, defenseless women and children," the pope said.
He told the crowd: “These children had to flee to arrive in a safe place. This is the fruit of war.”
The pontiff held up a grimy Ukrainian flag that he said had arrived at the Vatican on Tuesday from Bucha, where evidence has emerged of what appears to be intentional killings of civilians during the city’s occupation by Russian troops.
Kissing it, he said: “This flag comes from the war, from that martyred city Bucha .... Let us not forget them. Let us not forget the people of Ukraine.”
BUDAPEST, Hungary — Hungary’s Foreign Ministry summoned the Ukrainian ambassador on Wednesday after days of the two countries’ officials trading barbs over Hungary’s position on the war.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto wrote in a social media post on Wednesday that “we condemn military aggression, we stand by Ukraine’s sovereignty,” but that “this is not our war, so we want to and will stay out of it.”
Hungary’s government has refused to supply weapons to Ukraine or allow their transfer across the Hungarian-Ukrainian border, and has fought against applying sanctions on Russian energy imports.
That position has prompted criticism of Hungary’s government by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenksyy. He said in an address on Ukrainian television that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban would need to choose between Moscow and “the other world” of the West.
Orban, who won a landslide victory in Hungarian elections on Sunday, in a victory speech depicted Zelenskyy as one of the opponents he and his right-wing party had defeated.
COPENHAGEN, Denmark — Norway is beefing up its police and intelligence work, chiefly in the northern part of the country, which has a nearly 200-kilometer (124-mile) land border with Russia, and wants to spend 100 million kroner ($11.5 million) on it.
Norway’s domestic intelligence service considers the intelligence threat from Russia in the Scandinavian country to have increased, Justice Minister Emilie Enger Mehl said Wednesday.
The money would be spent on staff and equipment. The government also wants to exert more control over Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago in the Arctic with a Russian settlement. Under a 1920 treaty, Norway has sovereignty over Svalbard, but other signatory countries have rights to exploit its natural resources — coal.
The governor of Russia’s Kursk region on the border with Ukraine said Wednesday that Russian border guards were fired at with mortars on Tuesday.
Governor Roman Starovoit said on the messaging app Telegram that the border guards returned fire and that there were “no casualties or destruction” on the Russian side as a result of the incident.
The Ukrainian military has not yet commented on the allegation, and it could not be independently verified.
LONDON — British defense officials say 160,000 people remain trapped in the besieged city of Mariupol, where Russian airstrikes and heavy fighting are continuing.
The Ministry of Defense said in an intelligence update Wednesday that those in the city have “no light, communication, medicine, heat or water.” It accused Russian forces of deliberately preventing humanitarian access, “likely to pressure defenders to surrender.”
Repeated attempts by the International Committee of the Red Cross to get a humanitarian convoy into the southern port city have failed. Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said Russian forces stopped buses accompanied by Red Cross workers from traveling to Mariupol, which had a pre-war population of about 400,000. She said Russian troops allowed 1,496 civilians to leave the Sea of Azov port on Tuesday.
ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey says it shares the pain of the Ukrainian people over the “horrifying” images that emerged from towns near Kyiv and is calling for an independent investigation.
A statement from Turkey’s Foreign Ministry on Wednesday stopped short, however, of blaming Russia or describing the atrocities as a war crime.
Turkey has been measured in its criticism of Russia as it tries to balance its close relations with both Moscow and Kyiv. The country has hosted officials from the two countries for talks in a bid to end the war.
“The targeting of innocent civilians is unacceptable. It is our basic expectation that the issue is subjected to an independent investigation, that those responsible are identified and are held accountable,” the statement read.
Scenes that have emerged from Bucha, Irpin and other Ukrainian towns liberated by Ukrainian forces have led to accusations of war crimes and demands for tougher sanctions against Russia.
The ministry statement said Turkey would continue its efforts to end such “shameful scenes for humanity and to ensure peace as soon as possible.”
LVIV, Ukraine - Russian forces overnight struck a fuel depot and a factory in Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region, and the number of casualties remains unclear, the region’s governor said Wednesday on the Telegram messaging app.
“The night was alarming and difficult. The enemy attacked our area from the air and hit the oil depot and one of the plants," Gov. Valentyn Reznichenko wrote. "The oil depot with fuel was destroyed. Rescuers are still putting out the flames at the plant. There is a strong fire.”
In the eastern Luhansk region, shelling of the city of Rubizhne on Tuesday killed one and injured five more, Gov. Serhiy Haidai said Wednesday on Telegram.
The Russian military continues to focus its efforts on preparing for an offensive in Ukraine’s east, according to a Wednesday morning update by Ukraine’s General Staff, with the aim “to establish complete control over the territory of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.”
Parts of the two regions have been under control of Russia-backed rebels since 2014 and are recognized by Moscow as independent states.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. | 2 | 23,024 | 0.697579 | https://kafkadesk.org/2022/04/11/poland-publishes-survival-guide-in-case-of-war-or-occupation/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=poland-publishes-survival-guide-in-case-of-war-or-occupation | 2022-04-11 19:48:37+00:00 | Warsaw, Poland – The Polish government has issued a new “survival guidebook” with instructions on how to act and behave in cases of war or occupation, Notes from Poland reported.
More than one month after Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine and amid fears surrounding Moscow’s territorial ambitions, Poland’s governmental Security Centre’s (RCB) information policy department published a 36-page instructions book entitled “Be Ready. Guidebook for Crisis and War”.
In it, security experts from the government give Poles some crucial tips on the do’s and don’t’s of how to behave and what to avoid in case Poland is engulfed in a military conflict on its territory or occupied by foreign troops.
The booklet includes information on what to pack if forced to flee, how to take shelter, how to protect yourself against disinformation, what to do if taken captive, or how to act if the country is under various kinds of attack, including from chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons.
There is also practical information about air raid alarms, how to administer first aid or how to act towards invading forces, including remaining calm, staying out of their way when possible and avoiding taking pictures.
Authors of the guidebook reportedly drew inspiration from similar publications in Sweden, the United States and Ukraine.
The guide is available on RCB’s website here. |
https://www.3newsnow.com/news/local-news/nebraska-attorney-general-plans-to-dismiss-lawsuit-against-douglas-county-health-director-dr-lindsay-huse | OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — Attorney General Doug Peterson announced Wednesday that the State of Nebraska plans to dismiss its lawsuit against Douglas County Health Director Dr. Lindsay Huse.
The State of Nebraska sued Huse after she imposed a mask mandate in January.
RELATED: Omaha City Council passes ordinance to restrict health director's powers during a pandemic
This decision to dismiss the lawsuit comes after an ordinance was passed in Omaha City Council Tuesday allowing the Douglas County Health Director authority in a public health crisis, but the mayor and council will ultimately get the final say.
The ordinance also demands that the health director reach out to professionals to help make hard decisions.
Peterson plans to dismiss the lawsuit once the ordinance is approved by Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert and takes effect.
See Peterson’s full statement below.
A key concern of the Office of the Attorney General has been that the prior structure created by the City of Omaha for emergency infectious disease management improperly placed exclusive authority in one person, the County Health Director. This structure was lacking both accountability to the citizens and compliance with Nebraska statutes.
The changes made yesterday by the Omaha City Council take away exclusive authority from the County Health Director and place final authority for issuing emergency health policies, such as mask mandates, in the hands of the Mayor and the Omaha City Council, creating accountability to the citizens of Omaha.
In light of these changes, we plan to dismiss our lawsuit once the ordinance is approved by the Mayor and it takes effect,” stated Attorney General Peterson.
Download our apps today for all of our latest coverage.
Get the latest news and weather delivered straight to your inbox. | 0 | 18,836 | 0.363627 | https://www.newsbreak.com/news/2580688409245/nebraska-dhhs-vs-health-director-huse-case-dismissed | 2022-04-25 15:53:22+00:00 | Nebraska DHHS vs. Health Director Huse case dismissed
On Friday, District Court Judge Shelly Stratman officially dismissed the case leveled by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services against Douglas County Board of Health Director Dr. Lindsay Huse.
The dismissal was without prejudice, a move that was expected after the Omaha City Council voted last month to ensure that a health director can no longer unilaterally issue a mandate in a public health emergency without prior approval from the state. The new ordinance instead gives more power to elected officials.
The case arose when Huse issued a mask mandate in January as a response to overwhelmed healthcare facilities and hundreds of new COVID-19 cases were popping up every day, documented by the Douglas County Health Department during the omicron variant surge. The mandate drew swift political pushback and a lawsuit was quickly established against Huse and other defendants who were later dropped from the case including the City of Omaha, Omaha Police Department Chief Todd Schmaderer and Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert, the last of whom was against the mask mandate even before it was formally enacted.
Friday's official dismissal of the lawsuit cancels the one-day civil bench trial scheduled for June 16.
Download our apps today for all of our latest coverage.
Get the latest news and weather delivered straight to your inbox . |
https://www.3newsnow.com/news/local-news/nebraska-attorney-general-plans-to-dismiss-lawsuit-against-douglas-county-health-director-dr-lindsay-huse | OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — Attorney General Doug Peterson announced Wednesday that the State of Nebraska plans to dismiss its lawsuit against Douglas County Health Director Dr. Lindsay Huse.
The State of Nebraska sued Huse after she imposed a mask mandate in January.
RELATED: Omaha City Council passes ordinance to restrict health director's powers during a pandemic
This decision to dismiss the lawsuit comes after an ordinance was passed in Omaha City Council Tuesday allowing the Douglas County Health Director authority in a public health crisis, but the mayor and council will ultimately get the final say.
The ordinance also demands that the health director reach out to professionals to help make hard decisions.
Peterson plans to dismiss the lawsuit once the ordinance is approved by Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert and takes effect.
See Peterson’s full statement below.
A key concern of the Office of the Attorney General has been that the prior structure created by the City of Omaha for emergency infectious disease management improperly placed exclusive authority in one person, the County Health Director. This structure was lacking both accountability to the citizens and compliance with Nebraska statutes.
The changes made yesterday by the Omaha City Council take away exclusive authority from the County Health Director and place final authority for issuing emergency health policies, such as mask mandates, in the hands of the Mayor and the Omaha City Council, creating accountability to the citizens of Omaha.
In light of these changes, we plan to dismiss our lawsuit once the ordinance is approved by the Mayor and it takes effect,” stated Attorney General Peterson.
Download our apps today for all of our latest coverage.
Get the latest news and weather delivered straight to your inbox. | 1 | 86,888 | 0.382937 | https://www.3newsnow.com/news/local-news/nebraska-dhhs-case-officially-dismissed-friday-against-health-director-dr-lindsay-huse | 2022-04-22 20:12:20+00:00 | OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — On Friday, District Court Judge Shelly Stratman officially dismissed the case leveled by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services against Douglas County Board of Health Director Dr. Lindsay Huse.
The dismissal was without prejudice, a move that was expected after the Omaha City Council voted last month to ensure that a health director can no longer unilaterally issue a mandate in a public health emergency without prior approval from the state. The new ordinance instead gives more power to elected officials.
The case arose when Huse issued a mask mandate in January as a response to overwhelmed healthcare facilities and hundreds of new COVID-19 cases were popping up every day, documented by the Douglas County Health Department during the omicron variant surge. The mandate drew swift political pushback and a lawsuit was quickly established against Huse and other defendants who were later dropped from the case including the City of Omaha, Omaha Police Department Chief Todd Schmaderer and Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert, the last of whom was against the mask mandate even before it was formally enacted.
Friday's official dismissal of the lawsuit cancels the one-day civil bench trial scheduled for June 16.
Download our apps today for all of our latest coverage.
Get the latest news and weather delivered straight to your inbox. |
https://www.3newsnow.com/news/local-news/nebraska-attorney-general-plans-to-dismiss-lawsuit-against-douglas-county-health-director-dr-lindsay-huse | OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — Attorney General Doug Peterson announced Wednesday that the State of Nebraska plans to dismiss its lawsuit against Douglas County Health Director Dr. Lindsay Huse.
The State of Nebraska sued Huse after she imposed a mask mandate in January.
RELATED: Omaha City Council passes ordinance to restrict health director's powers during a pandemic
This decision to dismiss the lawsuit comes after an ordinance was passed in Omaha City Council Tuesday allowing the Douglas County Health Director authority in a public health crisis, but the mayor and council will ultimately get the final say.
The ordinance also demands that the health director reach out to professionals to help make hard decisions.
Peterson plans to dismiss the lawsuit once the ordinance is approved by Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert and takes effect.
See Peterson’s full statement below.
A key concern of the Office of the Attorney General has been that the prior structure created by the City of Omaha for emergency infectious disease management improperly placed exclusive authority in one person, the County Health Director. This structure was lacking both accountability to the citizens and compliance with Nebraska statutes.
The changes made yesterday by the Omaha City Council take away exclusive authority from the County Health Director and place final authority for issuing emergency health policies, such as mask mandates, in the hands of the Mayor and the Omaha City Council, creating accountability to the citizens of Omaha.
In light of these changes, we plan to dismiss our lawsuit once the ordinance is approved by the Mayor and it takes effect,” stated Attorney General Peterson.
Download our apps today for all of our latest coverage.
Get the latest news and weather delivered straight to your inbox. | 2 | 50,236 | 0.417099 | https://www.1011now.com/2022/04/06/nebraska-attorney-general-dismiss-mask-mandate-lawsuit/ | 2022-04-06 14:26:51+00:00 | Nebraska Attorney General to dismiss Omaha mask mandate lawsuit
LINCOLN, Neb. (WOWT) - Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson said Wednesday his office plans to dismiss the state’s lawsuit against the City of Omaha.
He released the following statement Wednesday morning:
“A key concern of the Office of the Attorney General has been that the prior structure created by the City of Omaha for emergency infectious disease management improperly placed exclusive authority in one person, the County Health Director. This structure was lacking both accountability to the citizens and compliance with Nebraska statutes.
The changes made yesterday by the Omaha City Council take away exclusive authority from the County Health Director and place final authority for issuing emergency health policies, such as mask mandates, in the hands of the Mayor and the Omaha City Council, creating accountability to the citizens of Omaha.
In light of these changes, we plan to dismiss our lawsuit once the ordinance is approved by the Mayor and it takes effect.”
As 6 News reported Tuesday night, the City Council’s 5-2 vote gave the green light for a new chain of command.
The updated guidance stipulates the health director will make the initial call for immediate action in the event of a pandemic or health crisis, then the mayor weighs in and City Council has the final vote.
A revised trial order, filed March 16, had indicated that the decision to proceed with the lawsuit — naming the city, Douglas County, and county Health Director Dr. Lindsay Huse — would hinge on the council vote.
Copyright 2022 WOWT. All rights reserved. |
https://www.mrt.com/business/article/Grains-mostly-higher-Livestock-lower-17061274.php | CHICAGO (AP) — Grain futures were mostly higher on Wednesday in early trading on the Chicago Board of Trade. Wheat for May was rose 4.75 cents at $10.4150 a bushel; May corn was off 4.25 cents at $7.5550 a bushel; May oats gained 11 cents at $7.5350 a bushel; while May soybeans was up .50 cent at $16.2425 a bushel.
Beef and pork were lower on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.
Apr. live cattle was off .73 cent at $1.3682 a pound; Apr. feeder cattle fell 1.28 cents at $1.5542 a pound; Apr. lean hogs lost 1.70 cents at $.9795 a pound. | 0 | 60,763 | 0 | https://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/Grains-mostly-higher-Livestock-lower-17061274.php | 2022-04-06 15:14:58+00:00 | CHICAGO (AP) — Grain futures were mostly higher on Wednesday in early trading on the Chicago Board of Trade. Wheat for May was rose 4.75 cents at $10.4150 a bushel; May corn was off 4.25 cents at $7.5550 a bushel; May oats gained 11 cents at $7.5350 a bushel; while May soybeans was up .50 cent at $16.2425 a bushel.
Beef and pork were lower on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.
Apr. live cattle was off .73 cent at $1.3682 a pound; Apr. feeder cattle fell 1.28 cents at $1.5542 a pound; Apr. lean hogs lost 1.70 cents at $.9795 a pound. |
https://www.mrt.com/business/article/Grains-mostly-higher-Livestock-lower-17061274.php | CHICAGO (AP) — Grain futures were mostly higher on Wednesday in early trading on the Chicago Board of Trade. Wheat for May was rose 4.75 cents at $10.4150 a bushel; May corn was off 4.25 cents at $7.5550 a bushel; May oats gained 11 cents at $7.5350 a bushel; while May soybeans was up .50 cent at $16.2425 a bushel.
Beef and pork were lower on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.
Apr. live cattle was off .73 cent at $1.3682 a pound; Apr. feeder cattle fell 1.28 cents at $1.5542 a pound; Apr. lean hogs lost 1.70 cents at $.9795 a pound. | 1 | 61,329 | 0 | https://www.sfchronicle.com/business/article/Grains-mostly-higher-Livestock-lower-17061274.php | 2022-04-06 15:17:23+00:00 | CHICAGO (AP) — Grain futures were mostly higher on Wednesday in early trading on the Chicago Board of Trade. Wheat for May was rose 4.75 cents at $10.4150 a bushel; May corn was off 4.25 cents at $7.5550 a bushel; May oats gained 11 cents at $7.5350 a bushel; while May soybeans was up .50 cent at $16.2425 a bushel.
Beef and pork were lower on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.
Apr. live cattle was off .73 cent at $1.3682 a pound; Apr. feeder cattle fell 1.28 cents at $1.5542 a pound; Apr. lean hogs lost 1.70 cents at $.9795 a pound. |
https://www.mrt.com/business/article/Grains-mostly-higher-Livestock-lower-17061274.php | CHICAGO (AP) — Grain futures were mostly higher on Wednesday in early trading on the Chicago Board of Trade. Wheat for May was rose 4.75 cents at $10.4150 a bushel; May corn was off 4.25 cents at $7.5550 a bushel; May oats gained 11 cents at $7.5350 a bushel; while May soybeans was up .50 cent at $16.2425 a bushel.
Beef and pork were lower on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.
Apr. live cattle was off .73 cent at $1.3682 a pound; Apr. feeder cattle fell 1.28 cents at $1.5542 a pound; Apr. lean hogs lost 1.70 cents at $.9795 a pound. | 2 | 1,070 | 0.120325 | https://www.theheraldreview.com/business/article/Grains-mostly-higher-Livestock-mixed-17130440.php | 2022-04-27 15:13:13+00:00 | CHICAGO (AP) — Grain futures were mostly higher on Wednesday in early trading on the Chicago Board of Trade. Wheat for May rose 10 cents at $10.83 a bushel; May corn advanced 21.25 cents at $8.1825 a bushel; May oats was off 6.50 cents at $6.86 a bushel; while May soybeans was up 5.25 cents at $17.11 a bushel.
Beef was mixed and pork was lower on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.
Apr. live cattle was fell .10 cent at $1.3975 a pound; Apr. feeder cattle was off .10 cent at $1.5655 a pound; May lean hogs lost .50 cent at $1.0480 a pound. |
https://www.mrt.com/news/article/Alert-Minnesota-prosecutors-decline-to-charge-17061250.php | MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota prosecutors decline to charge Minneapolis officer who fatally shot Amir Locke while executing no-knock warrant.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota prosecutors decline to charge Minneapolis officer who fatally shot Amir Locke while executing no-knock warrant. | 0 | 60,907 | 0 | https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Alert-Minnesota-prosecutors-decline-to-charge-17061250.php | 2022-04-06 15:15:24+00:00 | MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota prosecutors decline to charge Minneapolis officer who fatally shot Amir Locke while executing no-knock warrant.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota prosecutors decline to charge Minneapolis officer who fatally shot Amir Locke while executing no-knock warrant. |
https://www.mrt.com/news/article/Alert-Minnesota-prosecutors-decline-to-charge-17061250.php | MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota prosecutors decline to charge Minneapolis officer who fatally shot Amir Locke while executing no-knock warrant.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota prosecutors decline to charge Minneapolis officer who fatally shot Amir Locke while executing no-knock warrant. | 1 | 61,484 | 0 | https://www.sfchronicle.com/news/article/Alert-Minnesota-prosecutors-decline-to-charge-17061250.php | 2022-04-06 15:18:06+00:00 | MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota prosecutors decline to charge Minneapolis officer who fatally shot Amir Locke while executing no-knock warrant.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota prosecutors decline to charge Minneapolis officer who fatally shot Amir Locke while executing no-knock warrant. |
https://www.mrt.com/news/article/Alert-Minnesota-prosecutors-decline-to-charge-17061250.php | MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota prosecutors decline to charge Minneapolis officer who fatally shot Amir Locke while executing no-knock warrant.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota prosecutors decline to charge Minneapolis officer who fatally shot Amir Locke while executing no-knock warrant. | 2 | 66,436 | 0.390419 | https://www.newsbreak.com/news/2564682628245/officer-who-shot-amir-locke-during-no-knock-warrant-will-not-be-charged | 2022-04-07 15:27:27+00:00 | Officer who shot Amir Locke during no-knock warrant will not be charged
(Minneapolis MN-) No criminal charges will be filed in the fatal police shooting of Amir Locke. Hennepin County Attorney Michael Freeman and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison made the announcement Wednesday morning. Locke was fatally shot by Minneapolis police officers in February as officers were executing a "no-knock"...
www.willmarradio.com |
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/conagra-brands-inc-stock-outperforms-market-despite-losses-on-the-day-01649191330-0138fe4629d0 | Shares of Conagra Brands Inc. CAG slid 0.06% to $34.10 Tuesday, on what proved to be an all-around grim trading session for the stock market, with the S&P 500 Index SPX falling 1.26% to 4,525.12 and Dow Jones Industrial Average DJIA falling 0.80% to 34,641.18. The stock's fall snapped a three-day winning streak. Conagra Brands Inc. closed $4.99 below its 52-week high ($39.09), which the company achieved on June 3rd.
The stock underperformed when compared to some of its competitors Tuesday, as PepsiCo Inc. PEP rose 0.11%... | 0 | 82,029 | 0.382463 | https://www.marketwatch.com/story/conagra-brands-inc-stock-outperforms-competitors-despite-losses-on-the-day-01658349740-39dc4523379f | 2022-07-21 05:52:16+00:00 | Shares of Conagra Brands Inc. CAG shed 0.96% to $33.13 Wednesday, on what proved to be an all-around positive trading session for the stock market, with the S&P 500 Index SPX rising 0.59% to 3,959.90 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average DJIA rising 0.15% to 31,874.84. Conagra Brands Inc. closed $3.84 short of its 52-week high ($36.97), which the company reached on April 21st.
The stock demonstrated a mixed performance when compared to some of its competitors Wednesday, as PepsiCo Inc. PEP fell 1.06% to $168.26, Mondelez... |
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/conagra-brands-inc-stock-outperforms-market-despite-losses-on-the-day-01649191330-0138fe4629d0 | Shares of Conagra Brands Inc. CAG slid 0.06% to $34.10 Tuesday, on what proved to be an all-around grim trading session for the stock market, with the S&P 500 Index SPX falling 1.26% to 4,525.12 and Dow Jones Industrial Average DJIA falling 0.80% to 34,641.18. The stock's fall snapped a three-day winning streak. Conagra Brands Inc. closed $4.99 below its 52-week high ($39.09), which the company achieved on June 3rd.
The stock underperformed when compared to some of its competitors Tuesday, as PepsiCo Inc. PEP rose 0.11%... | 1 | 93,702 | 0.456837 | https://www.marketwatch.com/story/conagra-brands-inc-stock-underperforms-tuesday-when-compared-to-competitors-01658868152-7c81f84c4e78 | 2022-07-28 01:21:35+00:00 | Shares of Conagra Brands Inc.
CAG,
-1.30%
slid 0.15% to $33.82 Tuesday, on what proved to be an all-around grim trading session for the stock market, with the S&P 500 Index
SPX,
+2.62%
falling 1.15% to 3,921.05 and Dow Jones Industrial Average
DJIA,
+1.37%
falling 0.71% to 31,761.54. The stock's fall snapped a three-day winning streak. Conagra Brands Inc. closed $3.15 short of its 52-week high ($36.97), which the company achieved on April 21st.
The stock underperformed when compared to some of its competitors Tuesday, as PepsiCo Inc.
PEP,
-0.14%
rose 1.17% to $171.83, Mondelez International Inc. Cl A
MDLZ,
+1.10%
rose 0.29% to $62.94, and General Mills Inc.
GIS,
-0.79%
rose 0.22% to $74.41. Trading volume (3.8 M) remained 520,019 below its 50-day average volume of 4.3 M.
Editor's Note: This story was auto-generated by Automated Insights, an automation technology provider, using data from Dow Jones and FactSet. See our market data terms of use. |
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/conagra-brands-inc-stock-outperforms-market-despite-losses-on-the-day-01649191330-0138fe4629d0 | Shares of Conagra Brands Inc. CAG slid 0.06% to $34.10 Tuesday, on what proved to be an all-around grim trading session for the stock market, with the S&P 500 Index SPX falling 1.26% to 4,525.12 and Dow Jones Industrial Average DJIA falling 0.80% to 34,641.18. The stock's fall snapped a three-day winning streak. Conagra Brands Inc. closed $4.99 below its 52-week high ($39.09), which the company achieved on June 3rd.
The stock underperformed when compared to some of its competitors Tuesday, as PepsiCo Inc. PEP rose 0.11%... | 2 | 120,347 | 0.457239 | https://www.marketwatch.com/story/conagra-brands-inc-stock-outperforms-market-despite-losses-on-the-day-01656621732-5748ad41f35d | 2022-07-01 06:38:40+00:00 | Shares of Conagra Brands Inc.
CAG,
-0.26%
sank 0.26% to $34.24 Thursday, on what proved to be an all-around dismal trading session for the stock market, with the S&P 500 Index
SPX,
-0.88%
falling 0.88% to 3,785.38 and Dow Jones Industrial Average
DJIA,
-0.82%
falling 0.82% to 30,775.43. Conagra Brands Inc. closed $2.73 below its 52-week high ($36.97), which the company reached on April 21st.
The stock underperformed when compared to some of its competitors Thursday, as PepsiCo Inc.
PEP,
-0.04%
fell 0.04% to $166.66, Mondelez International Inc. Cl A
MDLZ,
+0.06%
rose 0.06% to $62.09, and General Mills Inc.
GIS,
+0.98%
rose 0.98% to $75.45. Trading volume (4.9 M) eclipsed its 50-day average volume of 4.1 M. |
https://www.kcra.com/article/us-doj-new-charges-against-russia/39650298 | US charges Russian oligarch, dismantles cybercrime operation
The Biden administration has charged a Russian oligarch with violating U.S. government sanctions and has disrupted a cybercrime operation controlled by a Russian military intelligence agency, officials said Wednesday.
The actions, announced amid Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine, underscore what U.S. officials say are their efforts to crack down on Russian criminal activity, to choke off the flow of "dirty money" and to disrupt the Kremlin's malicious cyber acts.
"Our goal is to ensure that sanctions Russian oligarchs, and cybercriminals will not find safe haven," Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said Wednesday.
The case against Konstantin Malofeyev, a Russian media baron, accuses him of trying to evade earlier Treasury Department sanctions resulting from Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea. Though the sanctions barred U.S. citizens from working for or doing business with him, Malofeyev allegedly used co-conspirators to secretly acquire media organizations across Europe in hopes of spreading pro-Russia propaganda.
The announcements come two days after U.S. officials seized a yacht in Spain belonging to a Russian oligarch, Viktor Vekselberg, with close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Justice Department in the last year has taken aim against Russia-based cybercrime, recovering in June most of a multimillion-dollar ransom that Colonial Pipeline paid to hackers after a ransomware attack that halted operations and announcing charges last fall against two suspected ransomware operators. | 0 | 58,945 | 0 | https://www.wlky.com/article/us-doj-new-charges-against-russia/39650298 | 2022-04-06 15:05:31+00:00 | US charges Russian oligarch, dismantles cybercrime operation
The Biden administration has charged a Russian oligarch with violating U.S. government sanctions and has disrupted a cybercrime operation controlled by a Russian military intelligence agency, officials said Wednesday.
The actions, announced amid Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine, underscore what U.S. officials say are their efforts to crack down on Russian criminal activity, to choke off the flow of "dirty money" and to disrupt the Kremlin's malicious cyber acts.
"Our goal is to ensure that sanctions Russian oligarchs, and cybercriminals will not find safe haven," Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said Wednesday.
The case against Konstantin Malofeyev, a Russian media baron, accuses him of trying to evade earlier Treasury Department sanctions resulting from Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea. Though the sanctions barred U.S. citizens from working for or doing business with him, Malofeyev allegedly used co-conspirators to secretly acquire media organizations across Europe in hopes of spreading pro-Russia propaganda.
The announcements come two days after U.S. officials seized a yacht in Spain belonging to a Russian oligarch, Viktor Vekselberg, with close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Justice Department in the last year has taken aim against Russia-based cybercrime, recovering in June most of a multimillion-dollar ransom that Colonial Pipeline paid to hackers after a ransomware attack that halted operations and announcing charges last fall against two suspected ransomware operators. |
https://www.kcra.com/article/us-doj-new-charges-against-russia/39650298 | US charges Russian oligarch, dismantles cybercrime operation
The Biden administration has charged a Russian oligarch with violating U.S. government sanctions and has disrupted a cybercrime operation controlled by a Russian military intelligence agency, officials said Wednesday.
The actions, announced amid Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine, underscore what U.S. officials say are their efforts to crack down on Russian criminal activity, to choke off the flow of "dirty money" and to disrupt the Kremlin's malicious cyber acts.
"Our goal is to ensure that sanctions Russian oligarchs, and cybercriminals will not find safe haven," Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said Wednesday.
The case against Konstantin Malofeyev, a Russian media baron, accuses him of trying to evade earlier Treasury Department sanctions resulting from Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea. Though the sanctions barred U.S. citizens from working for or doing business with him, Malofeyev allegedly used co-conspirators to secretly acquire media organizations across Europe in hopes of spreading pro-Russia propaganda.
The announcements come two days after U.S. officials seized a yacht in Spain belonging to a Russian oligarch, Viktor Vekselberg, with close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Justice Department in the last year has taken aim against Russia-based cybercrime, recovering in June most of a multimillion-dollar ransom that Colonial Pipeline paid to hackers after a ransomware attack that halted operations and announcing charges last fall against two suspected ransomware operators. | 1 | 59,556 | 0 | https://www.wvtm13.com/article/us-doj-new-charges-against-russia/39650298 | 2022-04-06 15:08:53+00:00 | US charges Russian oligarch, dismantles cybercrime operation
The Biden administration has charged a Russian oligarch with violating U.S. government sanctions and has disrupted a cybercrime operation controlled by a Russian military intelligence agency, officials said Wednesday.
The actions, announced amid Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine, underscore what U.S. officials say are their efforts to crack down on Russian criminal activity, to choke off the flow of "dirty money" and to disrupt the Kremlin's malicious cyber acts.
"Our goal is to ensure that sanctions Russian oligarchs, and cybercriminals will not find safe haven," Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said Wednesday.
The case against Konstantin Malofeyev, a Russian media baron, accuses him of trying to evade earlier Treasury Department sanctions resulting from Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea. Though the sanctions barred U.S. citizens from working for or doing business with him, Malofeyev allegedly used co-conspirators to secretly acquire media organizations across Europe in hopes of spreading pro-Russia propaganda.
The announcements come two days after U.S. officials seized a yacht in Spain belonging to a Russian oligarch, Viktor Vekselberg, with close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Justice Department in the last year has taken aim against Russia-based cybercrime, recovering in June most of a multimillion-dollar ransom that Colonial Pipeline paid to hackers after a ransomware attack that halted operations and announcing charges last fall against two suspected ransomware operators. |
https://www.kcra.com/article/us-doj-new-charges-against-russia/39650298 | US charges Russian oligarch, dismantles cybercrime operation
The Biden administration has charged a Russian oligarch with violating U.S. government sanctions and has disrupted a cybercrime operation controlled by a Russian military intelligence agency, officials said Wednesday.
The actions, announced amid Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine, underscore what U.S. officials say are their efforts to crack down on Russian criminal activity, to choke off the flow of "dirty money" and to disrupt the Kremlin's malicious cyber acts.
"Our goal is to ensure that sanctions Russian oligarchs, and cybercriminals will not find safe haven," Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said Wednesday.
The case against Konstantin Malofeyev, a Russian media baron, accuses him of trying to evade earlier Treasury Department sanctions resulting from Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea. Though the sanctions barred U.S. citizens from working for or doing business with him, Malofeyev allegedly used co-conspirators to secretly acquire media organizations across Europe in hopes of spreading pro-Russia propaganda.
The announcements come two days after U.S. officials seized a yacht in Spain belonging to a Russian oligarch, Viktor Vekselberg, with close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Justice Department in the last year has taken aim against Russia-based cybercrime, recovering in June most of a multimillion-dollar ransom that Colonial Pipeline paid to hackers after a ransomware attack that halted operations and announcing charges last fall against two suspected ransomware operators. | 2 | 60,400 | 0 | https://www.mynbc5.com/article/us-doj-new-charges-against-russia/39650298 | 2022-04-06 15:13:45+00:00 | US charges Russian oligarch, dismantles cybercrime operation
The Biden administration has charged a Russian oligarch with violating U.S. government sanctions and has disrupted a cybercrime operation controlled by a Russian military intelligence agency, officials said Wednesday.
The actions, announced amid Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine, underscore what U.S. officials say are their efforts to crack down on Russian criminal activity, to choke off the flow of "dirty money" and to disrupt the Kremlin's malicious cyber acts.
"Our goal is to ensure that sanctions Russian oligarchs, and cybercriminals will not find safe haven," Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said Wednesday.
The case against Konstantin Malofeyev, a Russian media baron, accuses him of trying to evade earlier Treasury Department sanctions resulting from Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea. Though the sanctions barred U.S. citizens from working for or doing business with him, Malofeyev allegedly used co-conspirators to secretly acquire media organizations across Europe in hopes of spreading pro-Russia propaganda.
The announcements come two days after U.S. officials seized a yacht in Spain belonging to a Russian oligarch, Viktor Vekselberg, with close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Justice Department in the last year has taken aim against Russia-based cybercrime, recovering in June most of a multimillion-dollar ransom that Colonial Pipeline paid to hackers after a ransomware attack that halted operations and announcing charges last fall against two suspected ransomware operators. |
https://www.forbes.com/sites/annabel/2022/04/06/beautiful-sustainable-travel-in-portugal-pedras-salgadas-spa--nature-park/ | As luck (and a mutual friend) would have it, one of the first people I met when I moved to Lisbon a little more than five years ago was the architect Tiago Rebelo de Andrade. He told me then about a project he had worked on with his architect father, Luís Rebelo de Andrade, that was revolutionary at the time. The two had dreamed up Portugal’s first tree house hotel project, in the Pedras Salgadas thermal park in the far north of the country.
Immediately, I wanted to visit the place. But then a whole lot of other things happened. I kept jetting off around the world (at least until everybody stopped going anywhere) and getting deeper into other parts of Portugal. it took me five years to visit the place that I had put on my must-visit list within weeks of arriving in this country.
It was worth the wait.
The place is an alluring mix of nature, turn-of-the-century grandeur, and modern, nature-focused architecture. It got its start as a thermal wellness resort in the 19th century, when people drank the lightly effervescent water from the mineral springs as a cure for a slew of ailments. (When I asked in the water museum if Agua das Pedras, now widely sold around the country—the Pellegrino of Portugal—was still believed to do all that, my dry-witted Portuguese travel companion said, “I suppose so, but now we just take medicine.”)
Although there is still an old-school thermal spa (reinvented by noted architect Siza Vieira) on the premises, most of the wellness now takes the form of forest bathing. The property covers some 20 hectares, a dense ecosystem with 27 species of trees—from giant sequoias to Chinese firs—red squirrels, white storks, gray herons, spotted woodpeckers and, sometimes, snowy egrets.
That’s why “we thought it was important to respect the landscape,” says Luís, of their entry into the design competition that was held when the property was acquired by Unicer (currently the Super Bock Group, a beverage company) in the early 2000s. The owners’ idea was to work with two of the old hotels that still existed on the property. The architects proposed demolishing one of them, except for the ground floor, which now contains much of the property’s infrastructure, and building a small mountain on top to conceal it.
They intended to refurbish the other old hotel, but first they proposed some new bungalows—eco houses, as they call them—that could be built quickly and rented to guests as the larger renovations took place. The owners liked this idea, particularly the part about generating revenue more quickly, but also the part about how the houses’ modular design allows the floor plans to be configured differently so that no trees had to be cut down to make room for them. (That other refurbishment never happened, although they did do a rather snazzy job with the old casino.)
With that settled, the architects pushed further. “One day in a meeting with the administration, I said, ‘You’re always speaking about families and green tourism,’” recalls Luís. “‘’Who wished they had a tree house when they were young?’ All but one hand went up.”
Still, it took some convincing, because there was absolutely nothing like it at the time. But that was the point. “We wanted something different from what people were used to,” says Luís. Still, “it was complicated to persuade the client,” recalls Tiago. “We did a lot of presentations and videos.” Eventually the architects took their client to the revolutionary Tree Hotel in Sweden.
The two tree houses—or “snake houses,” as Luís prefers to call them, because they don’t actually rest on tree branches (too fragile) but are on stilts, and because their elongated shape, with a widening on one end, is vaguely cobra-like—live surprisingly well. They’re quite compact, as they were fabricated off-site and brought in on flatbed trucks, but organized efficiently.
Each one has a comfy bed in front of and below big windows onto the forest. There’s also a small table, a couch, and a compact but functional closet and bathroom with a shower. It’s everything you need, at least for a few days. And because they’re reaches by flat bridges from the top of that artificial mountain, they’re accessible for all. (A member of the architects’ family is disabled, so they think about such things.)
Apparently the marketing department agreed with me that the “snake house” name might be off-putting, even though Luís is sticking to it—“only pigeons should be afraid of snakes,” he insists. Everyone else promotes them as tree houses.
Including Tiago, when he put them “all over the Internet” and pitched them to publications like Dezeen, Wallpaper, ArchDaily and Travel + Leisure, which gave Pedras Salgadas a design award for best hotel in 2014. Soon Portuguese emigrants were coming back to see this cool project that had taken flight in their homeland. Then design lovers from around the world followed. Now the tree houses are booked out three months in advance, during high season.
They put the village of Pedras Salgadas back on the map. “The people there love my father,” says Tiago, because their project drew people from far away to see their architecture, which gave rise to a number of tourism-related businesses in the once-dying village. They’ve proven that sustainability is about far more than recycled materials and the preservation of trees. It’s sustaining a community. | 0 | 94,846 | 0.782854 | https://www.vogue.com/article/a-look-at-the-dreamiest-treehouses-from-around-the-world | 2022-04-08 17:36:36+00:00 | At first, treehouses may seem like an unlikely choice of dwelling, particularly in our modern age. Humans, after all, are not natural climbers, nor does a sky-high locale lend itself to utilities like running water or electricity. Yet, somehow, we continue to romanticize treehouses in childhood and beyond, muses Philip Jodido in Treetop Hideaways: Treehouses for Adults. They were embraced by Medicis in the 16th century at their family castle in Florence, by the Swiss Family Robinson in the 19th century, and the many five-star resorts that feature bungalows within branches today. “The treehouse is morphing into a luxurious hotel room in the air,” writes Jodido. But why, considering their relative inhospitable nature, have treehouses had such longevity?
The book, out this month from Rizzoli, examines 36 different structures nestled in trees from Norway to Texas, and answers that very question in the process. Some people are drawn to a remote, off-grid retreat for brief respite from a tech-addicted life. Others, eager to embrace nature but hesitant about straying from modern day amenities, have found the best of both worlds in nature-based retreats around the world. "Two different directions are apparent in the treehouses published here. One is that of increasing comfort and modernity, including running water, electricity, and Wi-Fi, as well as construction based on sophisticated materials and equipment used in other forms of contemporary architecture,” explains Jodido. Yet, despite their differences in style, both approaches tap into the same inner yearning: to be immersed in the wild. As architect George Nakashima once said, “A tree is our most intimate contact with nature.” All in all, the book serves as a stunning visual ode to the arboreal architectural form we've dreamt of dwelling in for centuries.
Below, a selection of some of the book’s most spectacular treehouses—just in time for Earth Day. |
https://www.forbes.com/sites/annabel/2022/04/06/beautiful-sustainable-travel-in-portugal-pedras-salgadas-spa--nature-park/ | As luck (and a mutual friend) would have it, one of the first people I met when I moved to Lisbon a little more than five years ago was the architect Tiago Rebelo de Andrade. He told me then about a project he had worked on with his architect father, Luís Rebelo de Andrade, that was revolutionary at the time. The two had dreamed up Portugal’s first tree house hotel project, in the Pedras Salgadas thermal park in the far north of the country.
Immediately, I wanted to visit the place. But then a whole lot of other things happened. I kept jetting off around the world (at least until everybody stopped going anywhere) and getting deeper into other parts of Portugal. it took me five years to visit the place that I had put on my must-visit list within weeks of arriving in this country.
It was worth the wait.
The place is an alluring mix of nature, turn-of-the-century grandeur, and modern, nature-focused architecture. It got its start as a thermal wellness resort in the 19th century, when people drank the lightly effervescent water from the mineral springs as a cure for a slew of ailments. (When I asked in the water museum if Agua das Pedras, now widely sold around the country—the Pellegrino of Portugal—was still believed to do all that, my dry-witted Portuguese travel companion said, “I suppose so, but now we just take medicine.”)
Although there is still an old-school thermal spa (reinvented by noted architect Siza Vieira) on the premises, most of the wellness now takes the form of forest bathing. The property covers some 20 hectares, a dense ecosystem with 27 species of trees—from giant sequoias to Chinese firs—red squirrels, white storks, gray herons, spotted woodpeckers and, sometimes, snowy egrets.
That’s why “we thought it was important to respect the landscape,” says Luís, of their entry into the design competition that was held when the property was acquired by Unicer (currently the Super Bock Group, a beverage company) in the early 2000s. The owners’ idea was to work with two of the old hotels that still existed on the property. The architects proposed demolishing one of them, except for the ground floor, which now contains much of the property’s infrastructure, and building a small mountain on top to conceal it.
They intended to refurbish the other old hotel, but first they proposed some new bungalows—eco houses, as they call them—that could be built quickly and rented to guests as the larger renovations took place. The owners liked this idea, particularly the part about generating revenue more quickly, but also the part about how the houses’ modular design allows the floor plans to be configured differently so that no trees had to be cut down to make room for them. (That other refurbishment never happened, although they did do a rather snazzy job with the old casino.)
With that settled, the architects pushed further. “One day in a meeting with the administration, I said, ‘You’re always speaking about families and green tourism,’” recalls Luís. “‘’Who wished they had a tree house when they were young?’ All but one hand went up.”
Still, it took some convincing, because there was absolutely nothing like it at the time. But that was the point. “We wanted something different from what people were used to,” says Luís. Still, “it was complicated to persuade the client,” recalls Tiago. “We did a lot of presentations and videos.” Eventually the architects took their client to the revolutionary Tree Hotel in Sweden.
The two tree houses—or “snake houses,” as Luís prefers to call them, because they don’t actually rest on tree branches (too fragile) but are on stilts, and because their elongated shape, with a widening on one end, is vaguely cobra-like—live surprisingly well. They’re quite compact, as they were fabricated off-site and brought in on flatbed trucks, but organized efficiently.
Each one has a comfy bed in front of and below big windows onto the forest. There’s also a small table, a couch, and a compact but functional closet and bathroom with a shower. It’s everything you need, at least for a few days. And because they’re reaches by flat bridges from the top of that artificial mountain, they’re accessible for all. (A member of the architects’ family is disabled, so they think about such things.)
Apparently the marketing department agreed with me that the “snake house” name might be off-putting, even though Luís is sticking to it—“only pigeons should be afraid of snakes,” he insists. Everyone else promotes them as tree houses.
Including Tiago, when he put them “all over the Internet” and pitched them to publications like Dezeen, Wallpaper, ArchDaily and Travel + Leisure, which gave Pedras Salgadas a design award for best hotel in 2014. Soon Portuguese emigrants were coming back to see this cool project that had taken flight in their homeland. Then design lovers from around the world followed. Now the tree houses are booked out three months in advance, during high season.
They put the village of Pedras Salgadas back on the map. “The people there love my father,” says Tiago, because their project drew people from far away to see their architecture, which gave rise to a number of tourism-related businesses in the once-dying village. They’ve proven that sustainability is about far more than recycled materials and the preservation of trees. It’s sustaining a community. | 1 | 84,828 | 0.800969 | https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/lifestyle/outdoors/forest-bathing-in-midhurst-what-it-is-the-benefits-it-offers-what-it-costs-and-how-to-take-part-3710614 | 2022-05-26 16:00:07+00:00 | The location was the remains of the Norman motte and bailey castle on St Ann’s Hill, Midhurst, where trees guard over the foundation stones.
Here I and a small group were forming a close bond with the natural environment.
The three hour brush with nature is called 'forest bathing.'
When I had signed up for the experience with the Spread Eagle Hotel, located a few minutes' walk away, I had visions of exotic pools of water and waterfalls surrounded by trees into which one could dive and swim.
But this is quite different.
It simply means the practice of slowing down and totally immersing yourself in the forest atmosphere and is intended to reduce stress and give you a deep sense of peace.
It does not fail to deliver.
In this hectic world we all inhabit, the power of Mother Nature to help us unwind is too often overlooked.
Under the skilful direction of Swedish teacher Helena Skoog - who was born and raised in the forests of Sweden and has spent the past six years living off-grid in ancient forestry in Sussex - we went through the 'portal' into the wooded area.
To most people, that ‘portal’ was a simple gate – but it can represent so much more.
There, each with an exercise mat, we completed a very simple set of relaxation exercises - everything from channelling the environment through each of our senses to reminding ourselves of the extraordinary beauty and complexity of even the most humdrum branches, soil and twigs.
Which brought us to selecting a tree and examining it in more detail. I rejected all the healthy looking specimens in preference for one gnarled and bedraggled elderly occupant that looked like it had endured much over its many years on guard of the ancient castle.
Of course, you do not need a special session or a wood to enjoy the benefits of the great outdoors. A simple tree in a garden can be just as effective a place. But making time to reconnect with the natural world has never been more important when so many are suffering mental health issues.
This, of course being the Spread Eagle, was a somewhat luxurious experience.
It included a healthy two course lunch at the hotel and a fruit non-alcoholic cocktail at the hotel.
The cost is £38, no previous experience is necessary, wear comfortable clothes and footwear. Future forest bathing sessions at the Spread Eagle Hotel, Midhurst, in 2022 are: June 20, July 4, September 6, and October 11.
The hotel is so old like the nearby trees it has almost taken root to its ancient home in Midhurst.
It dates back to 1430 and Admiral Lord Nelson is recorded as a visitor.
It has now been in the ownership of the same family for 65 years and has sister hotels at Ockenden Manor and Bailiffscourt, both of which are in West Sussex. |
https://www.forbes.com/sites/annabel/2022/04/06/beautiful-sustainable-travel-in-portugal-pedras-salgadas-spa--nature-park/ | As luck (and a mutual friend) would have it, one of the first people I met when I moved to Lisbon a little more than five years ago was the architect Tiago Rebelo de Andrade. He told me then about a project he had worked on with his architect father, Luís Rebelo de Andrade, that was revolutionary at the time. The two had dreamed up Portugal’s first tree house hotel project, in the Pedras Salgadas thermal park in the far north of the country.
Immediately, I wanted to visit the place. But then a whole lot of other things happened. I kept jetting off around the world (at least until everybody stopped going anywhere) and getting deeper into other parts of Portugal. it took me five years to visit the place that I had put on my must-visit list within weeks of arriving in this country.
It was worth the wait.
The place is an alluring mix of nature, turn-of-the-century grandeur, and modern, nature-focused architecture. It got its start as a thermal wellness resort in the 19th century, when people drank the lightly effervescent water from the mineral springs as a cure for a slew of ailments. (When I asked in the water museum if Agua das Pedras, now widely sold around the country—the Pellegrino of Portugal—was still believed to do all that, my dry-witted Portuguese travel companion said, “I suppose so, but now we just take medicine.”)
Although there is still an old-school thermal spa (reinvented by noted architect Siza Vieira) on the premises, most of the wellness now takes the form of forest bathing. The property covers some 20 hectares, a dense ecosystem with 27 species of trees—from giant sequoias to Chinese firs—red squirrels, white storks, gray herons, spotted woodpeckers and, sometimes, snowy egrets.
That’s why “we thought it was important to respect the landscape,” says Luís, of their entry into the design competition that was held when the property was acquired by Unicer (currently the Super Bock Group, a beverage company) in the early 2000s. The owners’ idea was to work with two of the old hotels that still existed on the property. The architects proposed demolishing one of them, except for the ground floor, which now contains much of the property’s infrastructure, and building a small mountain on top to conceal it.
They intended to refurbish the other old hotel, but first they proposed some new bungalows—eco houses, as they call them—that could be built quickly and rented to guests as the larger renovations took place. The owners liked this idea, particularly the part about generating revenue more quickly, but also the part about how the houses’ modular design allows the floor plans to be configured differently so that no trees had to be cut down to make room for them. (That other refurbishment never happened, although they did do a rather snazzy job with the old casino.)
With that settled, the architects pushed further. “One day in a meeting with the administration, I said, ‘You’re always speaking about families and green tourism,’” recalls Luís. “‘’Who wished they had a tree house when they were young?’ All but one hand went up.”
Still, it took some convincing, because there was absolutely nothing like it at the time. But that was the point. “We wanted something different from what people were used to,” says Luís. Still, “it was complicated to persuade the client,” recalls Tiago. “We did a lot of presentations and videos.” Eventually the architects took their client to the revolutionary Tree Hotel in Sweden.
The two tree houses—or “snake houses,” as Luís prefers to call them, because they don’t actually rest on tree branches (too fragile) but are on stilts, and because their elongated shape, with a widening on one end, is vaguely cobra-like—live surprisingly well. They’re quite compact, as they were fabricated off-site and brought in on flatbed trucks, but organized efficiently.
Each one has a comfy bed in front of and below big windows onto the forest. There’s also a small table, a couch, and a compact but functional closet and bathroom with a shower. It’s everything you need, at least for a few days. And because they’re reaches by flat bridges from the top of that artificial mountain, they’re accessible for all. (A member of the architects’ family is disabled, so they think about such things.)
Apparently the marketing department agreed with me that the “snake house” name might be off-putting, even though Luís is sticking to it—“only pigeons should be afraid of snakes,” he insists. Everyone else promotes them as tree houses.
Including Tiago, when he put them “all over the Internet” and pitched them to publications like Dezeen, Wallpaper, ArchDaily and Travel + Leisure, which gave Pedras Salgadas a design award for best hotel in 2014. Soon Portuguese emigrants were coming back to see this cool project that had taken flight in their homeland. Then design lovers from around the world followed. Now the tree houses are booked out three months in advance, during high season.
They put the village of Pedras Salgadas back on the map. “The people there love my father,” says Tiago, because their project drew people from far away to see their architecture, which gave rise to a number of tourism-related businesses in the once-dying village. They’ve proven that sustainability is about far more than recycled materials and the preservation of trees. It’s sustaining a community. | 2 | 71,055 | 0.801195 | https://www.indulgexpress.com/travel/2022/jul/31/eco-therapy-forest-bathing-and-more-19th-century-mansion-in-shimla-offers-the-peace-you-deserve-42818.html | 2022-08-01 13:12:20+00:00 | Eco-therapy, forest bathing and more: 19th-century mansion in Shimla offers the peace you deserve
A palatial 19th-century bungalow in Shimla has a fascinating history and wilderness vibes that take you close to nature
The Japanese know both nature and the nature of people. Shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing in Japanese,
is a fast-growing global wellness trend that involves a meditative walk to ‘take in the forest atmosphere’ as its literal meaning goes. Now, a magnificent Colonial mansion in Shimla offers the same eco-therapy for its guests. Starting July 10, Jungle House, the 19th-century mansion nestled in ancient woods adjacent to the Jakhu Temple, has started guided walking tours for guests who love forest bathing.
The half-day activity (which starts at Rs 2,500) constitutes a walk up to Jakhu Tibba (mountain). An accompanying naturalist unravels the plethora of species that abound here, including Himalayan wildflowers, trees, birds and occasional spotting of some of the wildlife. The 700-metre trail through the forest is lined with pine, deodar and rhododendron trees, and leads to the highest point in the former summer capital of the Raj, which, at 8,000 feet, commands breathtaking views of the valley. “The view is therapeutic. But you must be on guard, especially after dark, when leopards are occasionally spotted,” warns Karan Singh, who owns the property. Singh and his mother Asha take care of the Jungle House, which seems straight out of an English fairy tale, especially when it snows in winter.
The history of the mansion is as fascinating as the landscape around. In 1940, Princess Kusum of Bharatpur returned from England to India along with her infant son and English nanny. Having spent her childhood at her father’s summer home, Peter’s Field, she dreamt of having her own home in Shimla. At a picnic in Jakhu with her cousins, she spotted this charming house. She fell in love with it and bought it.
The princess rebuilt the lounge of Jungle House as a replica of her English home, complete with large bay windows, teak floors and massive bathtubs with views of the Himalayas. Her daughter Asha Singh, the home’s present owner, and grandson Karan Singh, who has several years of experience in the travel and hospitality industry, take care of the mansion.
“We wanted to retain and restore these heritage structures, which are little treasures in themselves.
The only way to do that is to use them—the more lived in they are, the longer they live,” says Singh, who started Jungle House as a travel destination in September 2021. To date, the property retains its Colonial hill architectural style and has two exclusive suites named Holly and Chelsea, away from the bustle of Shimla’s Mall Road.
The cottage is meticulously designed with teak floors, high ceilings, large bathrooms, elegant decor and original artwork. With private sit-outs, the rooms offer sweeping views of Choor Chandni peak. Further, the beautifully manicured lawns bloom with a variety of colourful flowers. With an extensive library, a rustic stone fire pit and croquet on the premises, there’s much to do here. The Singhs organise heritage walks, treks and motorcycle rides in collaboration with their local partners. |
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forrester/2022/04/06/artificial-intelligence-for-ceos/ | One of the best parts of being Forrester’s CEO is that I have hundreds of analysts who help me understand new technology. So I thought I would share the wealth and pass on some of that knowledge to my fellow CEOs. I will be putting out a post about every quarter focusing on a technology that has three characteristics: 1) in the news; 2) frequently misunderstood; and 3) CEOs should understand it. First stop … artificial intelligence.
What Is AI?
It’s using computers to detect patterns and make predictions. Example: using a software program to identify which of your customers are not going to renew.
Today’s AI is decidedly unsexy — it’s not about killer robots, computers curing cancer, or runaway autonomous vehicles. If the AI application your company is building might show up in a Hollywood movie or amaze a layperson, it is likely doomed to failure and will be a titanic waste of time and money. True applications are quietly valuable, modest, and they won’t impress your mother.
How Does AI Work?
AI is just another computer program. Step one: Obtain a relevant, clean, and well-formatted data set. Step two: Feed the data to machine-learning algorithms to build and train a model (formulas). Step three: Use the model to predict and find patterns.
Confused? Here’s an example …
Like any good CEO, you don’t want to lose customers. So you go to your CIO and say, “Build an AI system that will predict which of our customers are going to churn.” Here’s what they will do:
Step one: They will gather up data on customers from last year and put that data in a consistent form. Think an Excel spreadsheet with the first row as “Customer 1” with columns showing information that will be relevant to whether they reupped with you or not — things like “tenure,” “engagement,” or “dollars spent.”
Step two: All of that data (imagine that it is 100,000 customers) is then fed into algorithms that statistically sort and identify relationships in the data. This step is called “machine learning” or “training.” The algorithms create a model of your customer base (or at least last year’s customer base) that can be used to predict whether a customer will churn or not churn. This is called an “AI model.”
Step three: You can now ask the model a simple question: “Given the behavior of our customers last year, what are the chances that a specific customer this year is going to stay with us?”
What do you get? The ability to lower your churn rate by identifying at-risk customers early and taking actions to retain them. And retention equals higher revenue.
This is an example of using AI for classification — putting customers into a high-risk category. But it can also be used to construct continuous ranges (enabling you to predict a customer’s lifetime value), clusters (identifying customer segments), anomaly detection (to pinpoint fraud), or association rules (if a customer bought product A, then they will probably buy product B).
What You Should Do
I really wanted to say “Do nothing,” but Forrester analysts reported to me that they have seen too many good AI applications to advocate no action. So the better answer is, “Get more AI in your company.” Why? It will enable you to subtly but powerfully optimize marketing, sales, operations, and customer support. If you don’t, be assured that your competitors will — and they will open up a gap that customers will begin to recognize. Here’s how to proceed:
- Go to your executive team and announce that you want your organization to not be on the bleeding edge of AI but that it should be good at AI. To do this, you want them to go on a three-year AI initiative sponsored by you, with a clearly stated vision and mission.
- Put out the word that you want the zombie AI projects in the organization (yes, they are out there) to be eliminated. As the company gets smarter in AI, the doomed projects will be more easily identified.
- It’s all about the data. As part of the AI initiative, assign your chief data officer (or CIO if you don’t have a CDO) to begin the multiyear project of standardizing data across divisions and functions. Start with improving customer data hygiene.
- Centralize governance of AI into a center of excellence that is focused on: 1) AI bias and transparency — making sure that your models are explainable and do not discriminate; 2) ModelOps — operationalizing models at scale and monitoring for performance decay; and 3) AI governance — ensuring that each business unit’s use of AI adheres to strict governance standards across the AI lifecycle.
- Train yourself and your executive team on AI and analytics. You don’t need to be able to code — but exposure to the technology will give you a better sense of where AI can be used to improve your business and, most importantly, how to make better decisions based on the output of AI. First Tech Federal Credit Union sent its executive team (including the CEO) to an executive-level class on AI and analytics at Northwestern — it’s improving the data literacy of the credit union’s culture and leading to the proliferation of game-changing analytics.
Vocabulary
Here’s enough terminology to make you slightly dangerous: DSMLAI — the overall name for the discipline — data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence; AI-washing — projects that claim to be AI but aren’t; ML — machine learning; deep learning — also called neural networks — good at classifying (labeling) text, voice, images, and other unstructured data.
And if you’re a Forrester client, here are links to two great AI reports that will give you more:
- The first is a primer for execs.
- The second contains AI predictions for 2022.
This post was written by Forrester CEO George Colony and it originally appeared here. | 0 | 43,433 | 0.759683 | https://businesschief.com/technology-and-ai/artificial-intelligence-a-strategy-playbook-for-leaders | 2022-09-09 00:08:55+00:00 | Artificial Intelligence – a strategy playbook for leaders
Artificial Intelligence promises a genuine opportunity for your organisation, but do you know how best to implement this technology to make the most of the transformational possibilities? Probably not. Which is why Business Chief has turned to two leading voices in AI to provide a Playbook for AI Strategy.
Anand Rao is Global Artificial Intelligence Lead at PwC, and the leader of the Big 4 consultancy’s AI and Emerging Technology practice. With more than 35 years of industry and consulting experience, he leads a team of practitioners who advise C-level executives and implement advanced analytics and AI-based solutions on a variety of strategic, operational, and ethical use cases.
Alec Boere is Associate Partner for AI & Automation, Europe at Infosys Consulting. A seasoned disruptive design and technology expert with over 20 years of experience within the technology space, Alec advises brands and corporations on the strategic development and delivery of cost saving, revenue generating or category differentiating disruptive technology products and services.
Business Chief: Why is AI significant for the future of business?
Anand Rao: AI is impacting every industry sector and every functional area. It is a general purpose technology that will have a profound influence in the next 10-20 years on how we interact with each other and how individuals, businesses, and governments make decisions. AI will automate a number of repetitive and manual tasks while also assisting and augmenting human decision making.
In some cases they are also moving from automating and transforming today's businesses to disrupting our current business models. We are already seeing fundamental ways in which AI has changed our behaviours – from searching for content, to summarising and synthesising what we read, see, or hear, to even creating new forms of art, music, and literature. As a result, businesses that ignore AI are doing so at their own peril.
Alec Boere: From the personal assistants in our mobile phones, to the profiling, customisation, and cyber protection that lie behind more and more of our commercial interactions, AI touches almost every aspect of our lives. And it’s only just getting started.
Value can be had across the organisation, in terms of productivity, personalisation, time saved, and quality.
For example, with the enablement of a truly personalised experience (whether B2C, B2B or E2E). AI can deride the gaps that you might have in terms of data volume (traditional methods couldn’t) to drive out customer vectors.
More recently we are also seeing an increase to the promised labour productivity gains, whereas AI can help co-pilot decision making to increase the effectiveness of resources in the Enterprise. This also has effects on time saved and the quality of the outputs. As an example we have been using synthetic data to help organisations to better predict outcomes that balance the decisions needed around product/ service quality.
There are also softer benefits which are more difficult to determine an ROI from the application of AI such as the improvement of working practices in the enterprise for staff which helps with talent retention but also that of the agility of the organisation.
BC: Do you feel CEOs understand the potential of AI?
AR: I don't think CEOs fully grasp the potential of AI. Many can understand the potential impact that AI can have on the economy (eg. US$15.7 trillion by 2030 - see Sizing the Prize report). However, most CEOs are unable to grasp the implications for their own business. Every industry sector and business needs to transform itself by using data, analytics, automation and AI. CEOs should consider this as part of the continuing evolution of digital transformation. Setting up a Centre of Excellence, designating clear ownership, and recruiting the right senior management are critical CEO functions to ensure that their company is not left behind in the AI race.
AB: Yes and no, CEOs are constantly being reminded of the value AI can deliver but not all are benefiting. There is still a big gap between the leaders and the followers, as you would expect. Whilst this is closing, there is still a lot of resistance within mid-management levels within the enterprise.
BC: Is the C-Suite resistant to the adoption of AI?
AR: I don't think the C-Suite is necessarily resistant to the adoption of AI as much as they do not appreciate the importance of AI in transforming the organisation. Even if they appreciate the importance of AI they are not fully aware or equipped to handle the challenges associated with designing, building, and deploying AI across the enterprise. Organisations that were early adopters of digitisation are better equipped to expand their digital transformation initiatives into automation and AI initiatives. They are better able to capitalise on the move to cloud and the resulting use of AI/ML on the cloud to centralise the data and gain better cost efficiencies and decision effectiveness.
AB: No, it is the balance of the change that AI will bring. Over the last few years we have completed 100s of POCs but in the last 18 months there have been better ways to manage the challenges of getting the benefits from AI. The main challenges are that of ROI (how to measure), deployment (going beyond the POC) and that of trust and ethics.
Making sure you have these three core elements managed will ensure better success and bottom-line success in the adoption of AI across the Enterprise.
BC: With a talent shortage and skills gaps, can AI help solve these issues?
AR: AI is being used by HR departments to both source talent and also match individuals with the right skills to the right jobs. However, one should make sure that we are not perpetuating institutional bias when recruiting or monitoring the performance of staff. Adopting responsible AI practices can alleviate some of these concerns. AI, especially in the form of contextual learning, can help train staff better and faster in standardised settings like call centres or service centres. AI can also augment the decision making of humans and learn from the experts to raise the general level of proficiency of all staff.
AB: Yes, certainly. But, it needs new thinking to challenge the status quo down to every business process and functions. Where AI is truly scaled across the organisation there are huge benefits that can be gained.
On a more practical note, for example within HR functions, we are using AI to predict staffing needs, unpacking unknown skills (latent skills) in the enterprise but also, most importantly, helping determine the right learning gain or learning path for the enterprise’s existing talent pool so they can meet the changing needs of the organisation.
In addition with the increase of the adoption of low code platforms this is helping IT departments democratise a once siloed capability to give business owners the tools to constantly improve their end service – whether from a process optimisation or driving a better customer experience.
BC: How will the human workforce benefit from AI adoption?
AR: AI can help the human workforce by enabling the 3 As – Automation, Assistance, and Augmentation. Routine jobs can be automated by AI, relieving users of dull and boring jobs. However, one needs to ensure that these routine jobs that are done by humans have other alternative jobs to pursue. Failing to do so will cause significant social disruption.
AI can also assist humans in doing their jobs better. A number of jobs in the services sector today are assisted by AI that can crunch through large volumes of data and make inferences faster than humans. Finally, AI can also learn from how humans are doing their jobs, find patterns, enhance the way we make decisions, and lift the overall effectiveness of human decision-making. Today, AI is working side-by-side with human artists, movie producers, script writers, journalists and other creative artists to generate and enhance creative content.
AB: Though co-piloting, AI will help the workforce become more productive and ultimately more satisfied that they are completing their tasks more effectively. But, in order to enable this, organisations that want to scale AI in the enterprise need to do so with the right controls, ensuring the use of AI is ethically-aligned and a decision-award culture is adhered to.
BC: What advice would you give a business leader looking to take their first steps in AI?
AR: Business leaders wanting to adopt AI should have three maxims in mind.
1. Think big, but start small. AI leaders should have a good understanding and develop a vision of how to embed AI across the entire enterprise, but must start with a single business or functional unit to demonstrate the value of AI and build the right skills.
2. Build a proof-of-concept, scale, and maintain. AI leaders must start building proof-of-concepts to ensure that the AI can have the desired performance from the systems before they start scaling the application across the enterprise. After the AI system has gone into production, organisations need to constantly monitor the performance of the AI system to ensure that it is adapting to the changes in the environment.
3. Adopt a portfolio approach to ROI. AI leaders should have a portfolio of AI initiatives with the right mix of complexity of models (e.g., simple models that have already been built by other groups within the organisation or by competitors to more complex first of a kind models in the industry). Some of the AI initiatives may fail to deliver the appropriate performance and should not be deployed in production, while a few may exceed the benefit expectations. The objective of the AI leader will be to deliver the overall portfolio ROI as opposed to necessarily delivering an ROI on every AI initiative.
AB: First steps should be to determine your measurement approach (so you can better determine the ROI), ensure you have a clearly defined deployment approach (getting beyond POCs) and most importantly have a clear approach to the change (ethic and trust, challenges that you will encounter). These are the basis of your operating model, from which you can then prioritise the use cases across the enterprise.
BC: How do you see AI developing in the next three years – how will it impact business and society?
AR: Three key AI trends are worth watching out for in the next 3 years:
1. Deployment of AI models – more organisations will move from experimenting with AI to fully deploying AI models, often along with other software applications in the cloud. This will significantly enhance the customer experience as well as improve staff productivity and effectiveness.
2. Democratisation of AI – several AI applications will be standardized and simplified enabling the democratisation of AI. This will allow staff without the necessary expertise in AI to operate and manage AI solutions.
3. Responsible AI – as more AI models get deployed and used by a larger proportion of non-expert users companies will focus more on Responsible AI to ensure that the AI acts in an ethical manner
AB: AI will become more pervasive within the enterprise. A day when AI is truly at scale through its injection of AI across business processes whether in Auto-pilot of Co-pilot.
The impact will be that we will have different tasks for the workforce. But we will certainly be more productive and effective in the use of resources to deliver products and services. |
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forrester/2022/04/06/artificial-intelligence-for-ceos/ | One of the best parts of being Forrester’s CEO is that I have hundreds of analysts who help me understand new technology. So I thought I would share the wealth and pass on some of that knowledge to my fellow CEOs. I will be putting out a post about every quarter focusing on a technology that has three characteristics: 1) in the news; 2) frequently misunderstood; and 3) CEOs should understand it. First stop … artificial intelligence.
What Is AI?
It’s using computers to detect patterns and make predictions. Example: using a software program to identify which of your customers are not going to renew.
Today’s AI is decidedly unsexy — it’s not about killer robots, computers curing cancer, or runaway autonomous vehicles. If the AI application your company is building might show up in a Hollywood movie or amaze a layperson, it is likely doomed to failure and will be a titanic waste of time and money. True applications are quietly valuable, modest, and they won’t impress your mother.
How Does AI Work?
AI is just another computer program. Step one: Obtain a relevant, clean, and well-formatted data set. Step two: Feed the data to machine-learning algorithms to build and train a model (formulas). Step three: Use the model to predict and find patterns.
Confused? Here’s an example …
Like any good CEO, you don’t want to lose customers. So you go to your CIO and say, “Build an AI system that will predict which of our customers are going to churn.” Here’s what they will do:
Step one: They will gather up data on customers from last year and put that data in a consistent form. Think an Excel spreadsheet with the first row as “Customer 1” with columns showing information that will be relevant to whether they reupped with you or not — things like “tenure,” “engagement,” or “dollars spent.”
Step two: All of that data (imagine that it is 100,000 customers) is then fed into algorithms that statistically sort and identify relationships in the data. This step is called “machine learning” or “training.” The algorithms create a model of your customer base (or at least last year’s customer base) that can be used to predict whether a customer will churn or not churn. This is called an “AI model.”
Step three: You can now ask the model a simple question: “Given the behavior of our customers last year, what are the chances that a specific customer this year is going to stay with us?”
What do you get? The ability to lower your churn rate by identifying at-risk customers early and taking actions to retain them. And retention equals higher revenue.
This is an example of using AI for classification — putting customers into a high-risk category. But it can also be used to construct continuous ranges (enabling you to predict a customer’s lifetime value), clusters (identifying customer segments), anomaly detection (to pinpoint fraud), or association rules (if a customer bought product A, then they will probably buy product B).
What You Should Do
I really wanted to say “Do nothing,” but Forrester analysts reported to me that they have seen too many good AI applications to advocate no action. So the better answer is, “Get more AI in your company.” Why? It will enable you to subtly but powerfully optimize marketing, sales, operations, and customer support. If you don’t, be assured that your competitors will — and they will open up a gap that customers will begin to recognize. Here’s how to proceed:
- Go to your executive team and announce that you want your organization to not be on the bleeding edge of AI but that it should be good at AI. To do this, you want them to go on a three-year AI initiative sponsored by you, with a clearly stated vision and mission.
- Put out the word that you want the zombie AI projects in the organization (yes, they are out there) to be eliminated. As the company gets smarter in AI, the doomed projects will be more easily identified.
- It’s all about the data. As part of the AI initiative, assign your chief data officer (or CIO if you don’t have a CDO) to begin the multiyear project of standardizing data across divisions and functions. Start with improving customer data hygiene.
- Centralize governance of AI into a center of excellence that is focused on: 1) AI bias and transparency — making sure that your models are explainable and do not discriminate; 2) ModelOps — operationalizing models at scale and monitoring for performance decay; and 3) AI governance — ensuring that each business unit’s use of AI adheres to strict governance standards across the AI lifecycle.
- Train yourself and your executive team on AI and analytics. You don’t need to be able to code — but exposure to the technology will give you a better sense of where AI can be used to improve your business and, most importantly, how to make better decisions based on the output of AI. First Tech Federal Credit Union sent its executive team (including the CEO) to an executive-level class on AI and analytics at Northwestern — it’s improving the data literacy of the credit union’s culture and leading to the proliferation of game-changing analytics.
Vocabulary
Here’s enough terminology to make you slightly dangerous: DSMLAI — the overall name for the discipline — data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence; AI-washing — projects that claim to be AI but aren’t; ML — machine learning; deep learning — also called neural networks — good at classifying (labeling) text, voice, images, and other unstructured data.
And if you’re a Forrester client, here are links to two great AI reports that will give you more:
- The first is a primer for execs.
- The second contains AI predictions for 2022.
This post was written by Forrester CEO George Colony and it originally appeared here. | 1 | 21,212 | 0.762273 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesfinancecouncil/2022/06/21/using-artificial-intelligence-to-improve-business-decisions/ | 2022-06-21 12:17:01+00:00 | CFO of Sandline Global & author of Deep Finance, Glenn has spent the past two decades helping startups prepare for funding or acquisition.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is to business what telescopes are to star gazing—an incredible technological boost that magnifies, clarifies and illuminates business decisions. AI-enabled technology drives everything from algorithms that filter spam emails to complex systems that can drive cars without human intervention.
Advances in AI over the past decade have been nothing short of astounding. Thanks to advances in computing power and the ever-increasing data available to train models, growth in AI and machine learning (ML) has been exponential. Machines can now teach themselves to play and beat the best players in the world in skilled games like chess, Go and countless other digital strategy games. And of greater consequence, machines have even proven better than humans at detecting early-stage lung cancer.
As these tools become ever more ubiquitous, there are fewer and fewer areas where their impact has not been felt. Business is certainly no exception. An increasing number of managerial tasks can now be handled or assisted by AI-based solutions. It is incumbent on managers to evaluate and understand this new technology and how it could be incorporated across their organizations.
The business world has become increasingly digital. This has allowed for the collection of greater amounts of data than ever before. This data is the fuel that powers ML and enables companies of all sizes to lean more and more on data-driven decision-making processes. In the best run businesses, managers have found ways to collaborate with their robot counterparts to drive the greatest results.
Data-Driven Decision Making
Companies that utilize machine learning and data in their decision-making processes are able to make more confident decisions when they have data to support them. They can set logical and concrete benchmarks that enable them to track the impact of their decisions along the way. Data-driven companies are also more proactive. By using data to better understand their products, customers and operations, they can drive change in the most critical areas. These changes result in greater speed, more efficiency, lower costs and increased profits.
But there are downsides and risks to digital transformations. Great leaders cannot be replaced by circuits and software (yet). When data and predictive modeling become the norm, it could be argued that we lose touch with our human judgment and creativity. It is also important to remember that machines are not infallible. They are only as good as the software with which they are built upon or the data on which they were trained. Just as biases can influence human behavior, they can also be trained into machine learning algorithms.
One of the greatest downsides of ML is that as the algorithms become more complex (as in deep neural networks), they become increasingly difficult for humans to understand. The idea of turning over decision making to a black box that we don’t understand seems about as logical as turning our decision process over to a magic eight ball. As “drag and drop,” no-code ML tools increase in popularity, this becomes more of an issue. Would-be data scientists may rely on the wrong models to drive decisions while having no clear understanding of the models they are using, which could influence results.
It is important that we as business leaders find ways to work with these powerful tools. This means we need to do the research to understand the basics of the technology and work with our teams that collect and analyze our company’s data to understand the limits of our data and technology.
From Hunch To Hypothesis
Great business leaders possess great intuition. This cannot be replaced by a machine any more than it could be replaced with a random person off the street. We should not discount our experience and real-world understanding in our decision-making process. Human intuition provides the spark of an idea. Data then can be used to quantify and track that decision. Think of data-driven decision making as using the scientific method to justify and drive corporate decisions.
Becoming A Data-Driven Company
The first step to becoming a data-driven organization is to collect, compile and assess the available data. Most of this data will come from the company’s internal systems such as CRMs, ERPs, accounting software, website analytics and project management tools. Other data may come from external sources such as social media, economic reports and other market information.
Dashboards and consolidated visual metrics designed for employees across all departments provide timely information in an easily digestible format and can be an important first step in transitioning to a data-driven company. These dashboards are a great way to get employees used to the value of the data you’re tracking.
Once you’ve identified your available data, it’s time to start ordering and making sense of the information. Start with descriptive statistics to form a baseline understanding of your customers, products and business areas. From there you can find ways to predict future behavior by finding correlations between activities. The final step is to move to prescriptive analytics where you are using data to direct activities that influence behaviors.
Fully data-driven companies trust the process and the data they’ve collected and use it to augment their decisions. This is true from the highest levels of the organization all the way down to front-line employees. While defined metrics, KPIs and reports are great, the most advanced data-driven companies empower employees by giving them access to raw data so they can use it to formulate their own decisions. But it is important for managers to understand that in order to really drive results, they will have to make sure employees are on board all the way down the line.
While true digital transformations can be time-consuming and disruptive, the work is becoming increasingly necessary. As AI advances and becomes more available, the world will soon be split between two types of companies: those that have transformed to capitalize on the wealth of new tools that are available, and those that have not.
The data tells us which is likely to come out on top.
Forbes Finance Council is an invitation-only organization for executives in successful accounting, financial planning and wealth management firms. Do I qualify? |
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forrester/2022/04/06/artificial-intelligence-for-ceos/ | One of the best parts of being Forrester’s CEO is that I have hundreds of analysts who help me understand new technology. So I thought I would share the wealth and pass on some of that knowledge to my fellow CEOs. I will be putting out a post about every quarter focusing on a technology that has three characteristics: 1) in the news; 2) frequently misunderstood; and 3) CEOs should understand it. First stop … artificial intelligence.
What Is AI?
It’s using computers to detect patterns and make predictions. Example: using a software program to identify which of your customers are not going to renew.
Today’s AI is decidedly unsexy — it’s not about killer robots, computers curing cancer, or runaway autonomous vehicles. If the AI application your company is building might show up in a Hollywood movie or amaze a layperson, it is likely doomed to failure and will be a titanic waste of time and money. True applications are quietly valuable, modest, and they won’t impress your mother.
How Does AI Work?
AI is just another computer program. Step one: Obtain a relevant, clean, and well-formatted data set. Step two: Feed the data to machine-learning algorithms to build and train a model (formulas). Step three: Use the model to predict and find patterns.
Confused? Here’s an example …
Like any good CEO, you don’t want to lose customers. So you go to your CIO and say, “Build an AI system that will predict which of our customers are going to churn.” Here’s what they will do:
Step one: They will gather up data on customers from last year and put that data in a consistent form. Think an Excel spreadsheet with the first row as “Customer 1” with columns showing information that will be relevant to whether they reupped with you or not — things like “tenure,” “engagement,” or “dollars spent.”
Step two: All of that data (imagine that it is 100,000 customers) is then fed into algorithms that statistically sort and identify relationships in the data. This step is called “machine learning” or “training.” The algorithms create a model of your customer base (or at least last year’s customer base) that can be used to predict whether a customer will churn or not churn. This is called an “AI model.”
Step three: You can now ask the model a simple question: “Given the behavior of our customers last year, what are the chances that a specific customer this year is going to stay with us?”
What do you get? The ability to lower your churn rate by identifying at-risk customers early and taking actions to retain them. And retention equals higher revenue.
This is an example of using AI for classification — putting customers into a high-risk category. But it can also be used to construct continuous ranges (enabling you to predict a customer’s lifetime value), clusters (identifying customer segments), anomaly detection (to pinpoint fraud), or association rules (if a customer bought product A, then they will probably buy product B).
What You Should Do
I really wanted to say “Do nothing,” but Forrester analysts reported to me that they have seen too many good AI applications to advocate no action. So the better answer is, “Get more AI in your company.” Why? It will enable you to subtly but powerfully optimize marketing, sales, operations, and customer support. If you don’t, be assured that your competitors will — and they will open up a gap that customers will begin to recognize. Here’s how to proceed:
- Go to your executive team and announce that you want your organization to not be on the bleeding edge of AI but that it should be good at AI. To do this, you want them to go on a three-year AI initiative sponsored by you, with a clearly stated vision and mission.
- Put out the word that you want the zombie AI projects in the organization (yes, they are out there) to be eliminated. As the company gets smarter in AI, the doomed projects will be more easily identified.
- It’s all about the data. As part of the AI initiative, assign your chief data officer (or CIO if you don’t have a CDO) to begin the multiyear project of standardizing data across divisions and functions. Start with improving customer data hygiene.
- Centralize governance of AI into a center of excellence that is focused on: 1) AI bias and transparency — making sure that your models are explainable and do not discriminate; 2) ModelOps — operationalizing models at scale and monitoring for performance decay; and 3) AI governance — ensuring that each business unit’s use of AI adheres to strict governance standards across the AI lifecycle.
- Train yourself and your executive team on AI and analytics. You don’t need to be able to code — but exposure to the technology will give you a better sense of where AI can be used to improve your business and, most importantly, how to make better decisions based on the output of AI. First Tech Federal Credit Union sent its executive team (including the CEO) to an executive-level class on AI and analytics at Northwestern — it’s improving the data literacy of the credit union’s culture and leading to the proliferation of game-changing analytics.
Vocabulary
Here’s enough terminology to make you slightly dangerous: DSMLAI — the overall name for the discipline — data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence; AI-washing — projects that claim to be AI but aren’t; ML — machine learning; deep learning — also called neural networks — good at classifying (labeling) text, voice, images, and other unstructured data.
And if you’re a Forrester client, here are links to two great AI reports that will give you more:
- The first is a primer for execs.
- The second contains AI predictions for 2022.
This post was written by Forrester CEO George Colony and it originally appeared here. | 2 | 84,254 | 0.762717 | https://www.computerweekly.com/opinion/Gartner-Six-key-executive-CIO-conversations-to-help-AI-succeed | 2022-04-11 15:00:39+00:00 | Getty Images
Gartner: Six key executive-CIO conversations to help AI succeed
The promise of artificial intelligence often fails to materialise in businesses, so how do you maximise your chance to succeed?
The promise of artificial intelligence (AI) often fails to materialise in our businesses – not because of technical limitations, but because of the executive leadership failing to achieve clarity on what AI is, and where and how it can add most value in their organisations.
CIOs have a powerful leadership opportunity to take their businesses through six executive conversations to address this gap.
1. What does AI mean in our business?
First, ensure everyone shares a common understanding and language about what AI is in their business context. Bring it down to simple use cases and examples. Talk about three AI categories: systems that behave like humans, such as chatbots; systems that automate humans out of the loop; and systems that generate next-level insight.
2. How does AI work with our workforce to achieve results?
Discuss how AI will work with your employees – does it replace them, help them work better, or work alongside them? All three can work well, but the shape of value and risk is different for each. Get executives used to categorising AI opportunities like this.
3. How transparent is AI?
Consider how much you need to understand how AI is doing its job. Businesses must avoid unhelpful, unintended, maybe even dangerous or illegal bias in algorithms. Imagine an intelligent marketing algorithm that was shown to accidentally discriminate based on race or gender. The need for transparency may cause us to choose one AI technique over another, even if it performs less well. Executives must develop an acute awareness of this issue.
4. Which AI-powered business opportunities should we pursue?
Based on the answers to the above three questions, executives should decide where to focus AI activities. Decisions here can use the three-part typology of AI mentioned in question one, mapped against the different domains of the internal supply chain and ecosystem. This ensures we are not AI “fashion victims”, but instead consider the most valuable artificial intelligence opportunities across our whole business.
5. How much are we prepared to rely on AI?
Combining the results of questions two and three above, executives can make high-level decisions and commission policies on how much AI-enabled automation is desirable and how transparent AI needs to be in different parts of the business. For example, a business might be comfortable with a completely automated “black box” that flags possible fraudulent transactions, but systems that make decisions about hiring might need to be much more “human in the loop” and transparent.
6. How will we manage and mitigate AI-related risk?
Despite making smart decisions about where to deploy which types of AI, there will be residual risk. The sixth executive conversation should cover types of risk, how to mitigate them and where accountability lies. Types of risk vary from injury or even loss of life, say from autonomous vehicles, through financial, brand and reputation risks. Developing a portfolio of techniques such as hedging with insurance and creating radical transparency with stakeholders is essential.
Gartner analysts will further explore key artificial intelligence considerations for executive leaders at Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo 2022, which will take place from 7-10 November 2022 in Barcelona, Spain.
Read more about AI in business
- Bias cannot be stripped from artificial intelligence systems, but organisations can work to mitigate it.
- Critics say you can’t trust AI yet with diversity and inclusion in hiring – or the elaborate audits meant to root out AI bias. Hiring software vendors beg to differ. |
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-10692439/Spain-looks-lift-mask-requirement-indoor-spaces.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | Spain looks to lift mask requirement in most indoor spaces
MADRID (AP) - Spain's health minister wants to lift face mask requirements for indoor spaces except public transportation and medical centers after Easter Week, when many residents travel and see their families.
Spanish Health Minister Carolina Darias said Wednesday that she would bring the proposed action to a government Cabinet meeting on April 19. If approved as expected, it would take effect the following day.
Over 92% of Spaniards over age 12 have received at least two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. The country's high vaccination rate has meant relatively low pressure on hospitals during the most recent surge of infections.
Authorities made outdoor mask use no longer obligatory in February as a wave of cases caused by the more contagious omicron variant eased. In March, Spain eliminated mandatory home isolation for people infected with the coronavirus but experiencing no or mild symptoms.
___
Follow AP´s coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic | 0 | 68,258 | 0.085295 | https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/nation-world/story/2022-04-06/spain-looks-to-lift-mask-requirement-in-most-indoor-spaces | 2022-04-06 15:44:16+00:00 | Spain looks to lift mask requirement in most indoor spaces
Spain’s health minister wants to lift face mask requirements for indoor spaces except public transportation and medical centers after Easter Week, when many residents travel and see their families.
Spanish Health Minister Carolina Darias said Wednesday that she would bring the proposed action to a government Cabinet meeting on April 19. If approved as expected, it would take effect the following day.
Over 92% of Spaniards over age 12 have received at least two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. The country’s high vaccination rate has meant relatively low pressure on hospitals during the most recent surge of infections.
Authorities made outdoor mask use no longer obligatory in February as a wave of cases caused by the more contagious omicron variant eased. In March, Spain eliminated mandatory home isolation for people infected with the coronavirus but experiencing no or mild symptoms.
___
Follow AP’s coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic
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https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-10692439/Spain-looks-lift-mask-requirement-indoor-spaces.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | Spain looks to lift mask requirement in most indoor spaces
MADRID (AP) - Spain's health minister wants to lift face mask requirements for indoor spaces except public transportation and medical centers after Easter Week, when many residents travel and see their families.
Spanish Health Minister Carolina Darias said Wednesday that she would bring the proposed action to a government Cabinet meeting on April 19. If approved as expected, it would take effect the following day.
Over 92% of Spaniards over age 12 have received at least two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. The country's high vaccination rate has meant relatively low pressure on hospitals during the most recent surge of infections.
Authorities made outdoor mask use no longer obligatory in February as a wave of cases caused by the more contagious omicron variant eased. In March, Spain eliminated mandatory home isolation for people infected with the coronavirus but experiencing no or mild symptoms.
___
Follow AP´s coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic | 1 | 85,401 | 0.140154 | https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/travel/spain-looks-to-lift-mask-requirement-in-most-indoor-spaces-after-easter-week-101649258942330-amp.html | 2022-04-06 16:50:47+00:00 | Spain looks to lift mask requirement in most indoor spaces after Easter Week
Spain's health minister wants to lift face mask requirements for indoor spaces except public transportation and medical centers after Easter Week, when many residents travel and see their families.
Spanish Health Minister Carolina Darias said Wednesday that she would bring the proposed action to a government Cabinet meeting on April 19. If approved as expected, it would take effect the following day.
Over 92% of Spaniards over age 12 have received at least two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine. The country's high vaccination rate has meant relatively low pressure on hospitals during the most recent surge of infections.
Authorities made outdoor mask use no longer obligatory in February as a wave of cases caused by the more contagious omicron variant eased. In March, Spain eliminated mandatory home isolation for people infected with the coronavirus but experiencing no or mild symptoms.
This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed. |
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-10692439/Spain-looks-lift-mask-requirement-indoor-spaces.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | Spain looks to lift mask requirement in most indoor spaces
MADRID (AP) - Spain's health minister wants to lift face mask requirements for indoor spaces except public transportation and medical centers after Easter Week, when many residents travel and see their families.
Spanish Health Minister Carolina Darias said Wednesday that she would bring the proposed action to a government Cabinet meeting on April 19. If approved as expected, it would take effect the following day.
Over 92% of Spaniards over age 12 have received at least two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. The country's high vaccination rate has meant relatively low pressure on hospitals during the most recent surge of infections.
Authorities made outdoor mask use no longer obligatory in February as a wave of cases caused by the more contagious omicron variant eased. In March, Spain eliminated mandatory home isolation for people infected with the coronavirus but experiencing no or mild symptoms.
___
Follow AP´s coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic | 2 | 44,510 | 0.163653 | https://m.startribune.com/spain-looks-to-lift-mask-requirement-in-most-indoor-spaces/600162653/ | 2022-04-06 23:37:04+00:00 | MADRID — Spain's health minister wants to lift face mask requirements for indoor spaces except public transportation and medical centers after Easter Week, when many residents travel and see their families.
Spanish Health Minister Carolina Darias said Wednesday that she would bring the proposed action to a government Cabinet meeting on April 19. If approved as expected, it would take effect the following day.
Over 92% of Spaniards over age 12 have received at least two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. The country's high vaccination rate has meant relatively low pressure on hospitals during the most recent surge of infections.
Authorities made outdoor mask use no longer obligatory in February as a wave of cases caused by the more contagious omicron variant eased. In March, Spain eliminated mandatory home isolation for people infected with the coronavirus but experiencing no or mild symptoms.
___
Follow AP's coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic |
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-10692461/US-charges-Russian-oligarch-dismantles-cybercrime-operation.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | US charges Russian oligarch, dismantles cybercrime operation
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Biden administration has charged a Russian oligarch with violating U.S. government sanctions and has disrupted a cybercrime operation launched by a Russian military intelligence agency, officials said Wednesday.
The action came as the Justice Department said it was accelerating efforts to track down illicit Russian assets and as U.S. prosecutors helped European counterparts gather evidence on potential war crimes committed by Russia during its war on Ukraine. FBI and Justice Department officials announced the moves as the U.S. separately revealed sanctions against the two adult daughters of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"We have our eyes on every dollar and jet. We have our eyes on every piece of art and real estate, purchased with dirty money and on every bitcoin wallet filled with proceeds of theft, and other crimes," Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said. "Together with our partners around the world, our goal is to ensure that sanctioned Russian oligarchs and cyber criminals will not find safe haven."
The indictment against Konstantin Malofeyev, a Russian media baron and founder of Russian Orthodox news channel, Tsargrad TV, is the first of an oligarch since the Russian invasion in February. The case accuses him of evading Treasury Department sanctions resulting from his financing of Russians promoting separatism in Crimea.
Though sanctions bar U.S. citizens from working for or doing business with him, Malofeyev hired an American television producer to work for him in networks in Russia and Greece and tried to buy a television network in Bulgaria, prosecutors said. Jack Hanick, a former CNBC and Fox News employee, was arrested last month for his work as a television producer for Malofeyev.
The Justice Department also announced that it had taken down a botnet - a network of hijacked computers typically used for malicious activity - that was controlled by the Russian military intelligence agency known as the GRU. The botnet was dismantled before it could cause any damage, said FBI Director Christopher Wray.
Attorney General Merrick Garland, center, accompanied by Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, left, and FBI Director Christopher Wray, right, speaks at a news conference at the Justice Department in Washington, Wednesday, April 6, 2022, to discuss new and recent enforcement actions to disrupt and prosecute criminal Russian activity. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Wednesday's announcements came two days after U.S. officials seized a huge yacht in Spain belonging to a Russian oligarch, Viktor Vekselberg, with close ties to Russian President Putin.
The Justice Department in the past year has taken aim against Russia-based cybercrime, recovering in June most of a multimillion-dollar ransom that Colonial Pipeline paid to hackers after a ransomware attack that halted operations. And the department announced charges last fall against two suspected ransomware operators. | 0 | 133,172 | 0.134606 | https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20220406/business/304069936/ | 2022-04-06 20:05:31+00:00 | US charges Russian oligarch, dismantles cybercrime operation
WASHINGTON -- The Biden administration has charged a Russian oligarch with violating U.S. government sanctions and has disrupted a cybercrime operation launched by a Russian military intelligence agency, officials said Wednesday.
The action came as the Justice Department said it was accelerating efforts to track down illicit Russian assets and as U.S. prosecutors helped European counterparts gather evidence on potential war crimes committed by Russia during its war on Ukraine. FBI and Justice Department officials announced the moves as the U.S. separately revealed sanctions against the two adult daughters of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
'We have our eyes on every dollar and jet. We have our eyes on every piece of art and real estate, purchased with dirty money and on every bitcoin wallet filled with proceeds of theft, and other crimes,' Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said. 'Together with our partners around the world, our goal is to ensure that sanctioned Russian oligarchs and cyber criminals will not find safe haven.'
The indictment against Konstantin Malofeyev, a Russian media baron and founder of Russian Orthodox news channel, Tsargrad TV, is the first of an oligarch since the Russian invasion in February. The case accuses him of evading Treasury Department sanctions resulting from his financing of Russians promoting separatism in Crimea.
Though sanctions bar U.S. citizens from working for or doing business with him, Malofeyev hired an American television producer to work for him in networks in Russia and Greece and tried to buy a television network in Bulgaria, prosecutors said. Jack Hanick, a former CNBC and Fox News employee, was arrested last month for his work as a television producer for Malofeyev.
The Justice Department also announced that it had taken down a botnet - a network of hijacked computers typically used for malicious activity - that was controlled by the Russian military intelligence agency known as the GRU. The botnet was dismantled before it could cause any damage, said FBI Director Christopher Wray.
Wednesday's announcements came two days after U.S. officials seized a huge yacht in Spain belonging to a Russian oligarch, Viktor Vekselberg, with close ties to Russian President Putin.
The Justice Department in the past year has taken aim against Russia-based cybercrime, recovering in June most of a multimillion-dollar ransom that Colonial Pipeline paid to hackers after a ransomware attack that halted operations. And the department announced charges last fall against two suspected ransomware operators. |
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-10692461/US-charges-Russian-oligarch-dismantles-cybercrime-operation.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | US charges Russian oligarch, dismantles cybercrime operation
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Biden administration has charged a Russian oligarch with violating U.S. government sanctions and has disrupted a cybercrime operation launched by a Russian military intelligence agency, officials said Wednesday.
The action came as the Justice Department said it was accelerating efforts to track down illicit Russian assets and as U.S. prosecutors helped European counterparts gather evidence on potential war crimes committed by Russia during its war on Ukraine. FBI and Justice Department officials announced the moves as the U.S. separately revealed sanctions against the two adult daughters of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"We have our eyes on every dollar and jet. We have our eyes on every piece of art and real estate, purchased with dirty money and on every bitcoin wallet filled with proceeds of theft, and other crimes," Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said. "Together with our partners around the world, our goal is to ensure that sanctioned Russian oligarchs and cyber criminals will not find safe haven."
The indictment against Konstantin Malofeyev, a Russian media baron and founder of Russian Orthodox news channel, Tsargrad TV, is the first of an oligarch since the Russian invasion in February. The case accuses him of evading Treasury Department sanctions resulting from his financing of Russians promoting separatism in Crimea.
Though sanctions bar U.S. citizens from working for or doing business with him, Malofeyev hired an American television producer to work for him in networks in Russia and Greece and tried to buy a television network in Bulgaria, prosecutors said. Jack Hanick, a former CNBC and Fox News employee, was arrested last month for his work as a television producer for Malofeyev.
The Justice Department also announced that it had taken down a botnet - a network of hijacked computers typically used for malicious activity - that was controlled by the Russian military intelligence agency known as the GRU. The botnet was dismantled before it could cause any damage, said FBI Director Christopher Wray.
Attorney General Merrick Garland, center, accompanied by Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, left, and FBI Director Christopher Wray, right, speaks at a news conference at the Justice Department in Washington, Wednesday, April 6, 2022, to discuss new and recent enforcement actions to disrupt and prosecute criminal Russian activity. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Wednesday's announcements came two days after U.S. officials seized a huge yacht in Spain belonging to a Russian oligarch, Viktor Vekselberg, with close ties to Russian President Putin.
The Justice Department in the past year has taken aim against Russia-based cybercrime, recovering in June most of a multimillion-dollar ransom that Colonial Pipeline paid to hackers after a ransomware attack that halted operations. And the department announced charges last fall against two suspected ransomware operators. | 1 | 60,472 | 0.136061 | https://www.dakotanewsnow.com/2022/04/06/us-charges-russian-oligarch-dismantles-cybercrime-operation/ | 2022-04-06 15:14:03+00:00 | US charges Russian oligarch, dismantles cybercrime operation
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration has charged a Russian oligarch with violating U.S. government sanctions and has disrupted a cybercrime operation launched by a Russian military intelligence agency, officials said Wednesday.
The action came as the Justice Department said it was accelerating efforts to track down illicit Russian assets and as U.S. prosecutors helped European counterparts gather evidence on potential war crimes committed by Russia during its war on Ukraine. FBI and Justice Department officials announced the moves as the U.S. separately revealed sanctions against the two adult daughters of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“We have our eyes on every dollar and jet. We have our eyes on every piece of art and real estate, purchased with dirty money and on every bitcoin wallet filled with proceeds of theft, and other crimes,” Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said. “Together with our partners around the world, our goal is to ensure that sanctioned Russian oligarchs and cyber criminals will not find safe haven.”
The indictment against Konstantin Malofeyev, a Russian media baron and founder of Russian Orthodox news channel, Tsargrad TV, is the first of an oligarch since the Russian invasion in February. The case accuses him of evading Treasury Department sanctions resulting from his financing of Russians promoting separatism in Crimea.
Though sanctions bar U.S. citizens from working for or doing business with him, Malofeyev hired an American television producer to work for him in networks in Russia and Greece and tried to buy a television network in Bulgaria, prosecutors said. Jack Hanick, a former CNBC and Fox News employee, was arrested last month for his work as a television producer for Malofeyev.
The Justice Department also announced that it had taken down a botnet — a network of hijacked computers typically used for malicious activity — that was controlled by the Russian military intelligence agency known as the GRU. The botnet was dismantled before it could cause any damage, said FBI Director Christopher Wray.
Wednesday’s announcements came two days after U.S. officials seized a huge yacht in Spain belonging to a Russian oligarch, Viktor Vekselberg, with close ties to Russian President Putin.
The Justice Department in the past year has taken aim against Russia-based cybercrime, recovering in June most of a multimillion-dollar ransom that Colonial Pipeline paid to hackers after a ransomware attack that halted operations. And the department announced charges last fall against two suspected ransomware operators.
WARNING: The following video contains graphic content.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. |
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-10692461/US-charges-Russian-oligarch-dismantles-cybercrime-operation.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | US charges Russian oligarch, dismantles cybercrime operation
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Biden administration has charged a Russian oligarch with violating U.S. government sanctions and has disrupted a cybercrime operation launched by a Russian military intelligence agency, officials said Wednesday.
The action came as the Justice Department said it was accelerating efforts to track down illicit Russian assets and as U.S. prosecutors helped European counterparts gather evidence on potential war crimes committed by Russia during its war on Ukraine. FBI and Justice Department officials announced the moves as the U.S. separately revealed sanctions against the two adult daughters of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"We have our eyes on every dollar and jet. We have our eyes on every piece of art and real estate, purchased with dirty money and on every bitcoin wallet filled with proceeds of theft, and other crimes," Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said. "Together with our partners around the world, our goal is to ensure that sanctioned Russian oligarchs and cyber criminals will not find safe haven."
The indictment against Konstantin Malofeyev, a Russian media baron and founder of Russian Orthodox news channel, Tsargrad TV, is the first of an oligarch since the Russian invasion in February. The case accuses him of evading Treasury Department sanctions resulting from his financing of Russians promoting separatism in Crimea.
Though sanctions bar U.S. citizens from working for or doing business with him, Malofeyev hired an American television producer to work for him in networks in Russia and Greece and tried to buy a television network in Bulgaria, prosecutors said. Jack Hanick, a former CNBC and Fox News employee, was arrested last month for his work as a television producer for Malofeyev.
The Justice Department also announced that it had taken down a botnet - a network of hijacked computers typically used for malicious activity - that was controlled by the Russian military intelligence agency known as the GRU. The botnet was dismantled before it could cause any damage, said FBI Director Christopher Wray.
Attorney General Merrick Garland, center, accompanied by Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, left, and FBI Director Christopher Wray, right, speaks at a news conference at the Justice Department in Washington, Wednesday, April 6, 2022, to discuss new and recent enforcement actions to disrupt and prosecute criminal Russian activity. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Wednesday's announcements came two days after U.S. officials seized a huge yacht in Spain belonging to a Russian oligarch, Viktor Vekselberg, with close ties to Russian President Putin.
The Justice Department in the past year has taken aim against Russia-based cybercrime, recovering in June most of a multimillion-dollar ransom that Colonial Pipeline paid to hackers after a ransomware attack that halted operations. And the department announced charges last fall against two suspected ransomware operators. | 2 | 11,540 | 0.210714 | https://www.kelownadailycourier.ca/business_news/national_business/article_94130a94-bfe5-54a5-a54d-8ab176d9f7e3.html | 2022-04-06 21:11:46+00:00 | WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration has charged a Russian oligarch with violating U.S. government sanctions and has disrupted a cybercrime operation launched by a Russian military intelligence agency, officials said Wednesday.
The action came as the Justice Department said it was accelerating efforts to track down illicit Russian assets and as U.S. prosecutors helped European counterparts gather evidence on potential war crimes committed by Russia during its war on Ukraine. FBI and Justice Department officials announced the moves as the U.S. separately revealed sanctions against the two adult daughters of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“We have our eyes on every dollar and jet. We have our eyes on every piece of art and real estate, purchased with dirty money and on every bitcoin wallet filled with proceeds of theft, and other crimes,” Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said. “Together with our partners around the world, our goal is to ensure that sanctioned Russian oligarchs and cyber criminals will not find safe haven.”
The indictment against Konstantin Malofeyev, a Russian media baron and founder of Russian Orthodox news channel, Tsargrad TV, is the first of an oligarch since the Russian invasion in February. The case accuses him of evading Treasury Department sanctions resulting from his financing of Russians promoting separatism in Crimea.
Though sanctions bar U.S. citizens from working for or doing business with him, Malofeyev hired an American television producer to work for him in networks in Russia and Greece and tried to buy a television network in Bulgaria, prosecutors said. Jack Hanick, a former CNBC and Fox News employee, was arrested last month for his work as a television producer for Malofeyev.
The Justice Department also announced that it had taken down a botnet — a network of hijacked computers typically used for malicious activity — that was controlled by the Russian military intelligence agency known as the GRU. The botnet was dismantled before it could cause any damage, said FBI Director Christopher Wray.
Wednesday's announcements came two days after U.S. officials seized a huge yacht in Spain belonging to a Russian oligarch, Viktor Vekselberg, with close ties to Russian President Putin.
The Justice Department in the past year has taken aim against Russia-based cybercrime, recovering in June most of a multimillion-dollar ransom that Colonial Pipeline paid to hackers after a ransomware attack that halted operations. And the department announced charges last fall against two suspected ransomware operators. |
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-10692477/NBA-suspends-season-coronavirus-pandemic.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | NBA suspends season over coronavirus pandemic
MIAMI (AP) - (2010s)
The NBA suspends the season "until further notice" after Rudy Goebert of the Utah Jazz tests positive for the coronavirus. The move comes hours after the majority of the league´s owners were leaning toward playing games without fans in arenas. The stoppage is expected to last a couple weeks. But the NBA does not resume play again until the end of July with a scaled-down version involving 22 teams inside a bubble created at the Disney World complex in Florida. The Associated Press is republishing verbatim the story of the NBA suspending the season March 12, 2020.
___
By TIM REYNOLDS
By AP Basketball Writer
MIAMI - The NBA has suspended its season "until further notice" after a Utah Jazz player tested positive Wednesday for the coronavirus, a move that came only hours after the majority of the league´s owners were leaning toward playing games without fans in arenas.
FILE - Fans leave the Golden 1 Center after the NBA basketball game between the New Orleans Pelicans and Sacramento Kings was postponed at the last minute in Sacramento, Calif., March 11, 2020. The NBA suspended the season "until further notice" after Rudy Goebert of the Utah Jazz tests positive for the coronavirus. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)
Now there will be no games at all, at least for the time being. A person with knowledge of the situation said the Jazz player who tested positive was center Rudy Gobert. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither the league nor the team confirmed the test.
"The NBA is suspending game play following the conclusion of tonight´s schedule of games until further notice," the league said in a statement sent shortly after 9:30 p.m. EDT. "The NBA will use this hiatus to determine next steps for moving forward in regard to the coronavirus pandemic."
The test result, the NBA said, was reported shortly before the scheduled tip-off time for the Utah at Oklahoma City game on Wednesday night was called off. Players were on the floor for warmups and tip-off was moments away when they were told to return to their locker rooms. About 30 minutes later, fans were told the game was postponed "due to unforeseen circumstances."
Those circumstances were the league´s worst-case scenario for now - a player testing positive. A second person who spoke to AP on condition of anonymity said the league expects the shutdown to last a minimum of two weeks, but cautioned that timeframe is very fluid.
"It´s a very serious time right now," Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "I think the league moved appropriately and prudently and we´ll all just have to monitor the situation and see where it goes from here."
The Jazz released a statement saying a player - they did not identify Gobert - tested negative earlier Wednesday for flu, strep throat and an upper respiratory infection. That player´s symptoms diminished as the day went along, but the decision was made to test for COVID-19 anyway. That test came back with a preliminary positive result.
"The individual is currently in the care of health officials in Oklahoma City," the Jazz said, adding that updates would come as appropriate.
For most people, the coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.
The vast majority of people recover from the new virus. According to the World Health Organization, which declared a pandemic on Wednesday, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover. In mainland China, where the virus first exploded, more than 80,000 people have been diagnosed and more than 58,000 have so far recovered.
It has been a worldwide issue for several weeks. And now, it has hit the NBA.
"This is crazy," Cleveland forward Tristan Thompson said on Twitter.
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said he was stunned when the news came down, adding that "this is much bigger than basketball."
"This is a global pandemic where people´s lives are at stake," Cuban said. "I´m a lot more worried about my kids, and my mom is 82 years old, and talking to her, and telling her to stay in the house, than I am about when we play our next game."
Charlotte Hornets coach James Borrego, speaking before his team´s game at Miami, said "these are scary times."
Rapidly evolving times, as well. Around 7 p.m., a person with knowledge of the situation told AP that owners - who met by teleconference Wednesday - were largely in support of a plan to play games in empty arenas on a short-term basis.
About an hour later, the Thunder-Jazz game was halted before tip-off. And about 90 minutes after that, the season was called off, effective when the last whistle was to blow Wednesday night.
That came even earlier than planned: The last game of the night´s six-game slate, New Orleans at Sacramento, was called off as well because one of the referees assigned to work that Pelicans-Kings game, Courtney Kirkland, worked a Utah game on Monday.
"The game was canceled out of an abundance of caution," the NBA said.
There are 259 games, roughly 21% of the schedule, left to play this season - and no one knows if, or when, things will resume.
"We believe in the leadership of the league," Philadelphia 76ers general manager Elton Brand said.
The shutdown is the latest major development in a season filled with unspeakably hard challenges. The league lost as much as $400 million in revenue after a rift with China was started in October when Houston general manager Daryl Morey tweeted out support of anti-government protesters in Hong Kong. Former NBA Commissioner David Stern died in January, the same month that soon-to-be Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash.
And now, a pandemic - which could also cost the league hundreds of millions in lost revenue, depending on how long it lasts. Cuban said he expected his team to remain in Dallas, rehabbing and working and being ready to return whenever the league re-opens.
"As we´ve said from the beginning, the health and safety of our fans, employees, players and partners is our top priority and thus we fully support the NBA´s decision to postpone games," Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins said. "We will continue to stay in contact with the league, and local, state and federal health experts as we closely monitor this public health crisis."
If the regular season ends here, it would be the end of Atlanta guard Vince Carter´s 22-year playing career. And just in case this was it, the Hawks put Carter in with 19.5 seconds left in overtime in what was already clearly going to be a loss to New York.
Carter took an open 3-pointer and made it - the Knicks, aware of the moment, didn´t defend him either - and celebrated with Hawks teammates afterward after what may be the final shot of his career.
"A weird, but cool memory," Carter said.
Also shut down: The G League, the NBA´s minor league where teams have somewhere between six and nine games left on their 50-game schedules.
The NBA´s movement toward empty arenas in the short term came on the same day that the NCAA announced that the men´s and women´s Division I tournaments would be played without fans - except for a few family members - permitted inside to watch.
"People are clearly taking the measures that they feel they need to take for safety," said Heat guard Duncan Robinson, who played in both the Division I and Division III national championship games during his college days at Michigan and Williams.
Robinson added, "but at the same time the NBA has to protect its players in the league and the fans."
Things were trending toward games in empty arenas for some time, and it was abundantly clear Wednesday morning when the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases told a Congressional committee that he would recommend the NBA not allow fans at games in response to the coronavirus.
Dr. Anthony Fauci was responding to a question asked by Rep. Glenn Grothman, a Wisconsin Republican, "is the NBA underreacting or is the Ivy League overreacting?" Grothman was referencing how the Ivy League recently canceled its basketball tournaments, instead of having them without fans or keeping the status quo.
"We would recommend that there not be large crowds," Fauci said. "If that means not having any people in the audience when the NBA plays, so be it. But as a public health official, anything that has crowds is something that would give a risk to spread."
That was when the concern was about crowds and containment.
By the close of business Wednesday in the NBA, the concern was so much more.
"This is surreal," Borrego said. "This is reality for us now. It´s no longer just on TV somewhere. This is now home."
___
More on the NBA At 75: https://apnews.com/hub/nba-at-75
___
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
FILE - Sacramento Kings coach Luke Walton waves as he leaves the Golden 1 Center after the team's NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans was postponed at the last minute in Sacramento, Calif., March 11, 2020. The NBA suspended the season "until further notice" after Rudy Goebert of the Utah Jazz tests positive for the coronavirus. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)
FILE - A basketball fan walks past a sign on how to decrease the risk of catching the coronavirus outside a restroom at the American Airlines Arena during the first half of an NBA basketball game between the Miami Heat and the Charlotte Hornets, Wednesday, March 11, 2020, in Miami. The NBA suspended the season "until further notice" after Rudy Goebert of the Utah Jazz tests positive for the coronavirus. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File) | 0 | 68,410 | 0.167161 | https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/national/story/2022-04-06/ap-was-there-nba-suspends-season-over-coronavirus-pandemic | 2022-04-06 15:44:56+00:00 | AP Was There: NBA suspends season over coronavirus pandemic
(2010s)
The NBA suspends the season “until further notice” after Rudy Goebert of the Utah Jazz tests positive for the coronavirus. The move comes hours after the majority of the league’s owners were leaning toward playing games without fans in arenas. The stoppage is expected to last a couple weeks. But the NBA does not resume play again until the end of July with a scaled-down version involving 22 teams inside a bubble created at the Disney World complex in Florida. The Associated Press is republishing verbatim the story of the NBA suspending the season March 12, 2020.
___
By TIM REYNOLDS
By AP Basketball Writer
MIAMI — The NBA has suspended its season “until further notice” after a Utah Jazz player tested positive Wednesday for the coronavirus, a move that came only hours after the majority of the league’s owners were leaning toward playing games without fans in arenas.
Now there will be no games at all, at least for the time being. A person with knowledge of the situation said the Jazz player who tested positive was center Rudy Gobert. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither the league nor the team confirmed the test.
“The NBA is suspending game play following the conclusion of tonight’s schedule of games until further notice,” the league said in a statement sent shortly after 9:30 p.m. EDT. “The NBA will use this hiatus to determine next steps for moving forward in regard to the coronavirus pandemic.”
The test result, the NBA said, was reported shortly before the scheduled tip-off time for the Utah at Oklahoma City game on Wednesday night was called off. Players were on the floor for warmups and tip-off was moments away when they were told to return to their locker rooms. About 30 minutes later, fans were told the game was postponed “due to unforeseen circumstances.”
Those circumstances were the league’s worst-case scenario for now — a player testing positive. A second person who spoke to AP on condition of anonymity said the league expects the shutdown to last a minimum of two weeks, but cautioned that timeframe is very fluid.
“It’s a very serious time right now,” Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “I think the league moved appropriately and prudently and we’ll all just have to monitor the situation and see where it goes from here.”
The Jazz released a statement saying a player — they did not identify Gobert — tested negative earlier Wednesday for flu, strep throat and an upper respiratory infection. That player’s symptoms diminished as the day went along, but the decision was made to test for COVID-19 anyway. That test came back with a preliminary positive result.
“The individual is currently in the care of health officials in Oklahoma City,” the Jazz said, adding that updates would come as appropriate.
For most people, the coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.
The vast majority of people recover from the new virus. According to the World Health Organization, which declared a pandemic on Wednesday, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover. In mainland China, where the virus first exploded, more than 80,000 people have been diagnosed and more than 58,000 have so far recovered.
It has been a worldwide issue for several weeks. And now, it has hit the NBA.
“This is crazy,” Cleveland forward Tristan Thompson said on Twitter.
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said he was stunned when the news came down, adding that “this is much bigger than basketball.”
“This is a global pandemic where people’s lives are at stake,” Cuban said. “I’m a lot more worried about my kids, and my mom is 82 years old, and talking to her, and telling her to stay in the house, than I am about when we play our next game.”
Charlotte Hornets coach James Borrego, speaking before his team’s game at Miami, said “these are scary times.”
Rapidly evolving times, as well. Around 7 p.m., a person with knowledge of the situation told AP that owners — who met by teleconference Wednesday — were largely in support of a plan to play games in empty arenas on a short-term basis.
About an hour later, the Thunder-Jazz game was halted before tip-off. And about 90 minutes after that, the season was called off, effective when the last whistle was to blow Wednesday night.
That came even earlier than planned: The last game of the night’s six-game slate, New Orleans at Sacramento, was called off as well because one of the referees assigned to work that Pelicans-Kings game, Courtney Kirkland, worked a Utah game on Monday.
“The game was canceled out of an abundance of caution,” the NBA said.
There are 259 games, roughly 21% of the schedule, left to play this season — and no one knows if, or when, things will resume.
“We believe in the leadership of the league,” Philadelphia 76ers general manager Elton Brand said.
The shutdown is the latest major development in a season filled with unspeakably hard challenges. The league lost as much as $400 million in revenue after a rift with China was started in October when Houston general manager Daryl Morey tweeted out support of anti-government protesters in Hong Kong. Former NBA Commissioner David Stern died in January, the same month that soon-to-be Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash.
And now, a pandemic — which could also cost the league hundreds of millions in lost revenue, depending on how long it lasts. Cuban said he expected his team to remain in Dallas, rehabbing and working and being ready to return whenever the league re-opens.
“As we’ve said from the beginning, the health and safety of our fans, employees, players and partners is our top priority and thus we fully support the NBA’s decision to postpone games,” Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins said. “We will continue to stay in contact with the league, and local, state and federal health experts as we closely monitor this public health crisis.”
If the regular season ends here, it would be the end of Atlanta guard Vince Carter’s 22-year playing career. And just in case this was it, the Hawks put Carter in with 19.5 seconds left in overtime in what was already clearly going to be a loss to New York.
Carter took an open 3-pointer and made it — the Knicks, aware of the moment, didn’t defend him either — and celebrated with Hawks teammates afterward after what may be the final shot of his career.
“A weird, but cool memory,” Carter said.
Also shut down: The G League, the NBA’s minor league where teams have somewhere between six and nine games left on their 50-game schedules.
The NBA’s movement toward empty arenas in the short term came on the same day that the NCAA announced that the men’s and women’s Division I tournaments would be played without fans — except for a few family members — permitted inside to watch.
“People are clearly taking the measures that they feel they need to take for safety,” said Heat guard Duncan Robinson, who played in both the Division I and Division III national championship games during his college days at Michigan and Williams.
Robinson added, “but at the same time the NBA has to protect its players in the league and the fans.”
Things were trending toward games in empty arenas for some time, and it was abundantly clear Wednesday morning when the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases told a Congressional committee that he would recommend the NBA not allow fans at games in response to the coronavirus.
Dr. Anthony Fauci was responding to a question asked by Rep. Glenn Grothman, a Wisconsin Republican, “is the NBA underreacting or is the Ivy League overreacting?” Grothman was referencing how the Ivy League recently canceled its basketball tournaments, instead of having them without fans or keeping the status quo.
“We would recommend that there not be large crowds,” Fauci said. “If that means not having any people in the audience when the NBA plays, so be it. But as a public health official, anything that has crowds is something that would give a risk to spread.”
That was when the concern was about crowds and containment.
By the close of business Wednesday in the NBA, the concern was so much more.
“This is surreal,” Borrego said. “This is reality for us now. It’s no longer just on TV somewhere. This is now home.”
___
More on the NBA At 75: https://apnews.com/hub/nba-at-75
___
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
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https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-10692477/NBA-suspends-season-coronavirus-pandemic.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | NBA suspends season over coronavirus pandemic
MIAMI (AP) - (2010s)
The NBA suspends the season "until further notice" after Rudy Goebert of the Utah Jazz tests positive for the coronavirus. The move comes hours after the majority of the league´s owners were leaning toward playing games without fans in arenas. The stoppage is expected to last a couple weeks. But the NBA does not resume play again until the end of July with a scaled-down version involving 22 teams inside a bubble created at the Disney World complex in Florida. The Associated Press is republishing verbatim the story of the NBA suspending the season March 12, 2020.
___
By TIM REYNOLDS
By AP Basketball Writer
MIAMI - The NBA has suspended its season "until further notice" after a Utah Jazz player tested positive Wednesday for the coronavirus, a move that came only hours after the majority of the league´s owners were leaning toward playing games without fans in arenas.
FILE - Fans leave the Golden 1 Center after the NBA basketball game between the New Orleans Pelicans and Sacramento Kings was postponed at the last minute in Sacramento, Calif., March 11, 2020. The NBA suspended the season "until further notice" after Rudy Goebert of the Utah Jazz tests positive for the coronavirus. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)
Now there will be no games at all, at least for the time being. A person with knowledge of the situation said the Jazz player who tested positive was center Rudy Gobert. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither the league nor the team confirmed the test.
"The NBA is suspending game play following the conclusion of tonight´s schedule of games until further notice," the league said in a statement sent shortly after 9:30 p.m. EDT. "The NBA will use this hiatus to determine next steps for moving forward in regard to the coronavirus pandemic."
The test result, the NBA said, was reported shortly before the scheduled tip-off time for the Utah at Oklahoma City game on Wednesday night was called off. Players were on the floor for warmups and tip-off was moments away when they were told to return to their locker rooms. About 30 minutes later, fans were told the game was postponed "due to unforeseen circumstances."
Those circumstances were the league´s worst-case scenario for now - a player testing positive. A second person who spoke to AP on condition of anonymity said the league expects the shutdown to last a minimum of two weeks, but cautioned that timeframe is very fluid.
"It´s a very serious time right now," Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "I think the league moved appropriately and prudently and we´ll all just have to monitor the situation and see where it goes from here."
The Jazz released a statement saying a player - they did not identify Gobert - tested negative earlier Wednesday for flu, strep throat and an upper respiratory infection. That player´s symptoms diminished as the day went along, but the decision was made to test for COVID-19 anyway. That test came back with a preliminary positive result.
"The individual is currently in the care of health officials in Oklahoma City," the Jazz said, adding that updates would come as appropriate.
For most people, the coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.
The vast majority of people recover from the new virus. According to the World Health Organization, which declared a pandemic on Wednesday, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover. In mainland China, where the virus first exploded, more than 80,000 people have been diagnosed and more than 58,000 have so far recovered.
It has been a worldwide issue for several weeks. And now, it has hit the NBA.
"This is crazy," Cleveland forward Tristan Thompson said on Twitter.
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said he was stunned when the news came down, adding that "this is much bigger than basketball."
"This is a global pandemic where people´s lives are at stake," Cuban said. "I´m a lot more worried about my kids, and my mom is 82 years old, and talking to her, and telling her to stay in the house, than I am about when we play our next game."
Charlotte Hornets coach James Borrego, speaking before his team´s game at Miami, said "these are scary times."
Rapidly evolving times, as well. Around 7 p.m., a person with knowledge of the situation told AP that owners - who met by teleconference Wednesday - were largely in support of a plan to play games in empty arenas on a short-term basis.
About an hour later, the Thunder-Jazz game was halted before tip-off. And about 90 minutes after that, the season was called off, effective when the last whistle was to blow Wednesday night.
That came even earlier than planned: The last game of the night´s six-game slate, New Orleans at Sacramento, was called off as well because one of the referees assigned to work that Pelicans-Kings game, Courtney Kirkland, worked a Utah game on Monday.
"The game was canceled out of an abundance of caution," the NBA said.
There are 259 games, roughly 21% of the schedule, left to play this season - and no one knows if, or when, things will resume.
"We believe in the leadership of the league," Philadelphia 76ers general manager Elton Brand said.
The shutdown is the latest major development in a season filled with unspeakably hard challenges. The league lost as much as $400 million in revenue after a rift with China was started in October when Houston general manager Daryl Morey tweeted out support of anti-government protesters in Hong Kong. Former NBA Commissioner David Stern died in January, the same month that soon-to-be Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash.
And now, a pandemic - which could also cost the league hundreds of millions in lost revenue, depending on how long it lasts. Cuban said he expected his team to remain in Dallas, rehabbing and working and being ready to return whenever the league re-opens.
"As we´ve said from the beginning, the health and safety of our fans, employees, players and partners is our top priority and thus we fully support the NBA´s decision to postpone games," Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins said. "We will continue to stay in contact with the league, and local, state and federal health experts as we closely monitor this public health crisis."
If the regular season ends here, it would be the end of Atlanta guard Vince Carter´s 22-year playing career. And just in case this was it, the Hawks put Carter in with 19.5 seconds left in overtime in what was already clearly going to be a loss to New York.
Carter took an open 3-pointer and made it - the Knicks, aware of the moment, didn´t defend him either - and celebrated with Hawks teammates afterward after what may be the final shot of his career.
"A weird, but cool memory," Carter said.
Also shut down: The G League, the NBA´s minor league where teams have somewhere between six and nine games left on their 50-game schedules.
The NBA´s movement toward empty arenas in the short term came on the same day that the NCAA announced that the men´s and women´s Division I tournaments would be played without fans - except for a few family members - permitted inside to watch.
"People are clearly taking the measures that they feel they need to take for safety," said Heat guard Duncan Robinson, who played in both the Division I and Division III national championship games during his college days at Michigan and Williams.
Robinson added, "but at the same time the NBA has to protect its players in the league and the fans."
Things were trending toward games in empty arenas for some time, and it was abundantly clear Wednesday morning when the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases told a Congressional committee that he would recommend the NBA not allow fans at games in response to the coronavirus.
Dr. Anthony Fauci was responding to a question asked by Rep. Glenn Grothman, a Wisconsin Republican, "is the NBA underreacting or is the Ivy League overreacting?" Grothman was referencing how the Ivy League recently canceled its basketball tournaments, instead of having them without fans or keeping the status quo.
"We would recommend that there not be large crowds," Fauci said. "If that means not having any people in the audience when the NBA plays, so be it. But as a public health official, anything that has crowds is something that would give a risk to spread."
That was when the concern was about crowds and containment.
By the close of business Wednesday in the NBA, the concern was so much more.
"This is surreal," Borrego said. "This is reality for us now. It´s no longer just on TV somewhere. This is now home."
___
More on the NBA At 75: https://apnews.com/hub/nba-at-75
___
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
FILE - Sacramento Kings coach Luke Walton waves as he leaves the Golden 1 Center after the team's NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans was postponed at the last minute in Sacramento, Calif., March 11, 2020. The NBA suspended the season "until further notice" after Rudy Goebert of the Utah Jazz tests positive for the coronavirus. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)
FILE - A basketball fan walks past a sign on how to decrease the risk of catching the coronavirus outside a restroom at the American Airlines Arena during the first half of an NBA basketball game between the Miami Heat and the Charlotte Hornets, Wednesday, March 11, 2020, in Miami. The NBA suspended the season "until further notice" after Rudy Goebert of the Utah Jazz tests positive for the coronavirus. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File) | 1 | 52,115 | 0.189004 | https://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/article/AP-Was-There-NBA-suspends-season-over-17061147.php | 2022-04-06 14:36:32+00:00 | MIAMI (AP) — (2010s)
The NBA suspends the season “until further notice” after Rudy Goebert of the Utah Jazz tests positive for the coronavirus. The move comes hours after the majority of the league’s owners were leaning toward playing games without fans in arenas. The stoppage is expected to last a couple weeks. But the NBA does not resume play again until the end of July with a scaled-down version involving 22 teams inside a bubble created at the Disney World complex in Florida. The Associated Press is republishing verbatim the story of the NBA suspending the season March 12, 2020.
___
By TIM REYNOLDS
By AP Basketball Writer
MIAMI — The NBA has suspended its season "until further notice" after a Utah Jazz player tested positive Wednesday for the coronavirus, a move that came only hours after the majority of the league’s owners were leaning toward playing games without fans in arenas.
Now there will be no games at all, at least for the time being. A person with knowledge of the situation said the Jazz player who tested positive was center Rudy Gobert. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither the league nor the team confirmed the test.
“The NBA is suspending game play following the conclusion of tonight’s schedule of games until further notice,” the league said in a statement sent shortly after 9:30 p.m. EDT. “The NBA will use this hiatus to determine next steps for moving forward in regard to the coronavirus pandemic.”
The test result, the NBA said, was reported shortly before the scheduled tip-off time for the Utah at Oklahoma City game on Wednesday night was called off. Players were on the floor for warmups and tip-off was moments away when they were told to return to their locker rooms. About 30 minutes later, fans were told the game was postponed “due to unforeseen circumstances.”
Those circumstances were the league’s worst-case scenario for now — a player testing positive. A second person who spoke to AP on condition of anonymity said the league expects the shutdown to last a minimum of two weeks, but cautioned that timeframe is very fluid.
“It’s a very serious time right now,” Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “I think the league moved appropriately and prudently and we’ll all just have to monitor the situation and see where it goes from here.”
The Jazz released a statement saying a player — they did not identify Gobert — tested negative earlier Wednesday for flu, strep throat and an upper respiratory infection. That player’s symptoms diminished as the day went along, but the decision was made to test for COVID-19 anyway. That test came back with a preliminary positive result.
“The individual is currently in the care of health officials in Oklahoma City,” the Jazz said, adding that updates would come as appropriate.
For most people, the coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.
The vast majority of people recover from the new virus. According to the World Health Organization, which declared a pandemic on Wednesday, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover. In mainland China, where the virus first exploded, more than 80,000 people have been diagnosed and more than 58,000 have so far recovered.
It has been a worldwide issue for several weeks. And now, it has hit the NBA.
“This is crazy,” Cleveland forward Tristan Thompson said on Twitter.
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said he was stunned when the news came down, adding that “this is much bigger than basketball.”
“This is a global pandemic where people’s lives are at stake,” Cuban said. “I’m a lot more worried about my kids, and my mom is 82 years old, and talking to her, and telling her to stay in the house, than I am about when we play our next game.”
Charlotte Hornets coach James Borrego, speaking before his team’s game at Miami, said “these are scary times.”
Rapidly evolving times, as well. Around 7 p.m., a person with knowledge of the situation told AP that owners — who met by teleconference Wednesday — were largely in support of a plan to play games in empty arenas on a short-term basis.
About an hour later, the Thunder-Jazz game was halted before tip-off. And about 90 minutes after that, the season was called off, effective when the last whistle was to blow Wednesday night.
That came even earlier than planned: The last game of the night’s six-game slate, New Orleans at Sacramento, was called off as well because one of the referees assigned to work that Pelicans-Kings game, Courtney Kirkland, worked a Utah game on Monday.
“The game was canceled out of an abundance of caution,” the NBA said.
There are 259 games, roughly 21% of the schedule, left to play this season — and no one knows if, or when, things will resume.
“We believe in the leadership of the league,” Philadelphia 76ers general manager Elton Brand said.
The shutdown is the latest major development in a season filled with unspeakably hard challenges. The league lost as much as $400 million in revenue after a rift with China was started in October when Houston general manager Daryl Morey tweeted out support of anti-government protesters in Hong Kong. Former NBA Commissioner David Stern died in January, the same month that soon-to-be Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash.
And now, a pandemic — which could also cost the league hundreds of millions in lost revenue, depending on how long it lasts. Cuban said he expected his team to remain in Dallas, rehabbing and working and being ready to return whenever the league re-opens.
“As we’ve said from the beginning, the health and safety of our fans, employees, players and partners is our top priority and thus we fully support the NBA’s decision to postpone games,” Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins said. “We will continue to stay in contact with the league, and local, state and federal health experts as we closely monitor this public health crisis.”
If the regular season ends here, it would be the end of Atlanta guard Vince Carter’s 22-year playing career. And just in case this was it, the Hawks put Carter in with 19.5 seconds left in overtime in what was already clearly going to be a loss to New York.
Carter took an open 3-pointer and made it — the Knicks, aware of the moment, didn’t defend him either — and celebrated with Hawks teammates afterward after what may be the final shot of his career.
“A weird, but cool memory,” Carter said.
Also shut down: The G League, the NBA’s minor league where teams have somewhere between six and nine games left on their 50-game schedules.
The NBA’s movement toward empty arenas in the short term came on the same day that the NCAA announced that the men’s and women’s Division I tournaments would be played without fans — except for a few family members — permitted inside to watch.
“People are clearly taking the measures that they feel they need to take for safety,” said Heat guard Duncan Robinson, who played in both the Division I and Division III national championship games during his college days at Michigan and Williams.
Robinson added, “but at the same time the NBA has to protect its players in the league and the fans.”
Things were trending toward games in empty arenas for some time, and it was abundantly clear Wednesday morning when the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases told a Congressional committee that he would recommend the NBA not allow fans at games in response to the coronavirus.
Dr. Anthony Fauci was responding to a question asked by Rep. Glenn Grothman, a Wisconsin Republican, “is the NBA underreacting or is the Ivy League overreacting?” Grothman was referencing how the Ivy League recently canceled its basketball tournaments, instead of having them without fans or keeping the status quo.
“We would recommend that there not be large crowds,” Fauci said. “If that means not having any people in the audience when the NBA plays, so be it. But as a public health official, anything that has crowds is something that would give a risk to spread.”
That was when the concern was about crowds and containment.
By the close of business Wednesday in the NBA, the concern was so much more.
“This is surreal,” Borrego said. “This is reality for us now. It’s no longer just on TV somewhere. This is now home.”
___
More on the NBA At 75: https://apnews.com/hub/nba-at-75
___
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports |
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-10692477/NBA-suspends-season-coronavirus-pandemic.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | NBA suspends season over coronavirus pandemic
MIAMI (AP) - (2010s)
The NBA suspends the season "until further notice" after Rudy Goebert of the Utah Jazz tests positive for the coronavirus. The move comes hours after the majority of the league´s owners were leaning toward playing games without fans in arenas. The stoppage is expected to last a couple weeks. But the NBA does not resume play again until the end of July with a scaled-down version involving 22 teams inside a bubble created at the Disney World complex in Florida. The Associated Press is republishing verbatim the story of the NBA suspending the season March 12, 2020.
___
By TIM REYNOLDS
By AP Basketball Writer
MIAMI - The NBA has suspended its season "until further notice" after a Utah Jazz player tested positive Wednesday for the coronavirus, a move that came only hours after the majority of the league´s owners were leaning toward playing games without fans in arenas.
FILE - Fans leave the Golden 1 Center after the NBA basketball game between the New Orleans Pelicans and Sacramento Kings was postponed at the last minute in Sacramento, Calif., March 11, 2020. The NBA suspended the season "until further notice" after Rudy Goebert of the Utah Jazz tests positive for the coronavirus. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)
Now there will be no games at all, at least for the time being. A person with knowledge of the situation said the Jazz player who tested positive was center Rudy Gobert. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither the league nor the team confirmed the test.
"The NBA is suspending game play following the conclusion of tonight´s schedule of games until further notice," the league said in a statement sent shortly after 9:30 p.m. EDT. "The NBA will use this hiatus to determine next steps for moving forward in regard to the coronavirus pandemic."
The test result, the NBA said, was reported shortly before the scheduled tip-off time for the Utah at Oklahoma City game on Wednesday night was called off. Players were on the floor for warmups and tip-off was moments away when they were told to return to their locker rooms. About 30 minutes later, fans were told the game was postponed "due to unforeseen circumstances."
Those circumstances were the league´s worst-case scenario for now - a player testing positive. A second person who spoke to AP on condition of anonymity said the league expects the shutdown to last a minimum of two weeks, but cautioned that timeframe is very fluid.
"It´s a very serious time right now," Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "I think the league moved appropriately and prudently and we´ll all just have to monitor the situation and see where it goes from here."
The Jazz released a statement saying a player - they did not identify Gobert - tested negative earlier Wednesday for flu, strep throat and an upper respiratory infection. That player´s symptoms diminished as the day went along, but the decision was made to test for COVID-19 anyway. That test came back with a preliminary positive result.
"The individual is currently in the care of health officials in Oklahoma City," the Jazz said, adding that updates would come as appropriate.
For most people, the coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.
The vast majority of people recover from the new virus. According to the World Health Organization, which declared a pandemic on Wednesday, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover. In mainland China, where the virus first exploded, more than 80,000 people have been diagnosed and more than 58,000 have so far recovered.
It has been a worldwide issue for several weeks. And now, it has hit the NBA.
"This is crazy," Cleveland forward Tristan Thompson said on Twitter.
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said he was stunned when the news came down, adding that "this is much bigger than basketball."
"This is a global pandemic where people´s lives are at stake," Cuban said. "I´m a lot more worried about my kids, and my mom is 82 years old, and talking to her, and telling her to stay in the house, than I am about when we play our next game."
Charlotte Hornets coach James Borrego, speaking before his team´s game at Miami, said "these are scary times."
Rapidly evolving times, as well. Around 7 p.m., a person with knowledge of the situation told AP that owners - who met by teleconference Wednesday - were largely in support of a plan to play games in empty arenas on a short-term basis.
About an hour later, the Thunder-Jazz game was halted before tip-off. And about 90 minutes after that, the season was called off, effective when the last whistle was to blow Wednesday night.
That came even earlier than planned: The last game of the night´s six-game slate, New Orleans at Sacramento, was called off as well because one of the referees assigned to work that Pelicans-Kings game, Courtney Kirkland, worked a Utah game on Monday.
"The game was canceled out of an abundance of caution," the NBA said.
There are 259 games, roughly 21% of the schedule, left to play this season - and no one knows if, or when, things will resume.
"We believe in the leadership of the league," Philadelphia 76ers general manager Elton Brand said.
The shutdown is the latest major development in a season filled with unspeakably hard challenges. The league lost as much as $400 million in revenue after a rift with China was started in October when Houston general manager Daryl Morey tweeted out support of anti-government protesters in Hong Kong. Former NBA Commissioner David Stern died in January, the same month that soon-to-be Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash.
And now, a pandemic - which could also cost the league hundreds of millions in lost revenue, depending on how long it lasts. Cuban said he expected his team to remain in Dallas, rehabbing and working and being ready to return whenever the league re-opens.
"As we´ve said from the beginning, the health and safety of our fans, employees, players and partners is our top priority and thus we fully support the NBA´s decision to postpone games," Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins said. "We will continue to stay in contact with the league, and local, state and federal health experts as we closely monitor this public health crisis."
If the regular season ends here, it would be the end of Atlanta guard Vince Carter´s 22-year playing career. And just in case this was it, the Hawks put Carter in with 19.5 seconds left in overtime in what was already clearly going to be a loss to New York.
Carter took an open 3-pointer and made it - the Knicks, aware of the moment, didn´t defend him either - and celebrated with Hawks teammates afterward after what may be the final shot of his career.
"A weird, but cool memory," Carter said.
Also shut down: The G League, the NBA´s minor league where teams have somewhere between six and nine games left on their 50-game schedules.
The NBA´s movement toward empty arenas in the short term came on the same day that the NCAA announced that the men´s and women´s Division I tournaments would be played without fans - except for a few family members - permitted inside to watch.
"People are clearly taking the measures that they feel they need to take for safety," said Heat guard Duncan Robinson, who played in both the Division I and Division III national championship games during his college days at Michigan and Williams.
Robinson added, "but at the same time the NBA has to protect its players in the league and the fans."
Things were trending toward games in empty arenas for some time, and it was abundantly clear Wednesday morning when the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases told a Congressional committee that he would recommend the NBA not allow fans at games in response to the coronavirus.
Dr. Anthony Fauci was responding to a question asked by Rep. Glenn Grothman, a Wisconsin Republican, "is the NBA underreacting or is the Ivy League overreacting?" Grothman was referencing how the Ivy League recently canceled its basketball tournaments, instead of having them without fans or keeping the status quo.
"We would recommend that there not be large crowds," Fauci said. "If that means not having any people in the audience when the NBA plays, so be it. But as a public health official, anything that has crowds is something that would give a risk to spread."
That was when the concern was about crowds and containment.
By the close of business Wednesday in the NBA, the concern was so much more.
"This is surreal," Borrego said. "This is reality for us now. It´s no longer just on TV somewhere. This is now home."
___
More on the NBA At 75: https://apnews.com/hub/nba-at-75
___
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
FILE - Sacramento Kings coach Luke Walton waves as he leaves the Golden 1 Center after the team's NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans was postponed at the last minute in Sacramento, Calif., March 11, 2020. The NBA suspended the season "until further notice" after Rudy Goebert of the Utah Jazz tests positive for the coronavirus. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)
FILE - A basketball fan walks past a sign on how to decrease the risk of catching the coronavirus outside a restroom at the American Airlines Arena during the first half of an NBA basketball game between the Miami Heat and the Charlotte Hornets, Wednesday, March 11, 2020, in Miami. The NBA suspended the season "until further notice" after Rudy Goebert of the Utah Jazz tests positive for the coronavirus. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File) | 2 | 3,808 | 0.204419 | https://www.siouxlandproud.com/sports/nba/ap-was-there-nba-suspends-season-over-coronavirus-pandemic/ | 2022-04-07 10:28:04+00:00 | MIAMI (AP)(2010s)
The NBA suspends the season ”until further notice” after Rudy Goebert of the Utah Jazz tests positive for the coronavirus. The move comes hours after the majority of the league’s owners were leaning toward playing games without fans in arenas. The stoppage is expected to last a couple weeks. But the NBA does not resume play again until the end of July with a scaled-down version involving 22 teams inside a bubble created at the Disney World complex in Florida. The Associated Press is republishing verbatim the story of the NBA suspending the season March 12, 2020.
—
By TIM REYNOLDS
By AP Basketball Writer
MIAMI – The NBA has suspended its season ”until further notice” after a Utah Jazz player tested positive Wednesday for the coronavirus, a move that came only hours after the majority of the league’s owners were leaning toward playing games without fans in arenas.
Now there will be no games at all, at least for the time being. A person with knowledge of the situation said the Jazz player who tested positive was center Rudy Gobert. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither the league nor the team confirmed the test.
”The NBA is suspending game play following the conclusion of tonight’s schedule of games until further notice,” the league said in a statement sent shortly after 9:30 p.m. EDT. ”The NBA will use this hiatus to determine next steps for moving forward in regard to the coronavirus pandemic.”
The test result, the NBA said, was reported shortly before the scheduled tip-off time for the Utah at Oklahoma City game on Wednesday night was called off. Players were on the floor for warmups and tip-off was moments away when they were told to return to their locker rooms. About 30 minutes later, fans were told the game was postponed ”due to unforeseen circumstances.”
Those circumstances were the league’s worst-case scenario for now – a player testing positive. A second person who spoke to AP on condition of anonymity said the league expects the shutdown to last a minimum of two weeks, but cautioned that timeframe is very fluid.
”It’s a very serious time right now,” Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. ”I think the league moved appropriately and prudently and we’ll all just have to monitor the situation and see where it goes from here.”
The Jazz released a statement saying a player – they did not identify Gobert – tested negative earlier Wednesday for flu, strep throat and an upper respiratory infection. That player’s symptoms diminished as the day went along, but the decision was made to test for COVID-19 anyway. That test came back with a preliminary positive result.
”The individual is currently in the care of health officials in Oklahoma City,” the Jazz said, adding that updates would come as appropriate.
For most people, the coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.
The vast majority of people recover from the new virus. According to the World Health Organization, which declared a pandemic on Wednesday, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover. In mainland China, where the virus first exploded, more than 80,000 people have been diagnosed and more than 58,000 have so far recovered.
It has been a worldwide issue for several weeks. And now, it has hit the NBA.
”This is crazy,” Cleveland forward Tristan Thompson said on Twitter.
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said he was stunned when the news came down, adding that ”this is much bigger than basketball.”
”This is a global pandemic where people’s lives are at stake,” Cuban said. ”I’m a lot more worried about my kids, and my mom is 82 years old, and talking to her, and telling her to stay in the house, than I am about when we play our next game.”
Charlotte Hornets coach James Borrego, speaking before his team’s game at Miami, said ”these are scary times.”
Rapidly evolving times, as well. Around 7 p.m., a person with knowledge of the situation told AP that owners – who met by teleconference Wednesday – were largely in support of a plan to play games in empty arenas on a short-term basis.
About an hour later, the Thunder-Jazz game was halted before tip-off. And about 90 minutes after that, the season was called off, effective when the last whistle was to blow Wednesday night.
That came even earlier than planned: The last game of the night’s six-game slate, New Orleans at Sacramento, was called off as well because one of the referees assigned to work that Pelicans-Kings game, Courtney Kirkland, worked a Utah game on Monday.
”The game was canceled out of an abundance of caution,” the NBA said.
There are 259 games, roughly 21% of the schedule, left to play this season – and no one knows if, or when, things will resume.
”We believe in the leadership of the league,” Philadelphia 76ers general manager Elton Brand said.
The shutdown is the latest major development in a season filled with unspeakably hard challenges. The league lost as much as $400 million in revenue after a rift with China was started in October when Houston general manager Daryl Morey tweeted out support of anti-government protesters in Hong Kong. Former NBA Commissioner David Stern died in January, the same month that soon-to-be Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash.
And now, a pandemic – which could also cost the league hundreds of millions in lost revenue, depending on how long it lasts. Cuban said he expected his team to remain in Dallas, rehabbing and working and being ready to return whenever the league re-opens.
”As we’ve said from the beginning, the health and safety of our fans, employees, players and partners is our top priority and thus we fully support the NBA’s decision to postpone games,” Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins said. ”We will continue to stay in contact with the league, and local, state and federal health experts as we closely monitor this public health crisis.”
If the regular season ends here, it would be the end of Atlanta guard Vince Carter’s 22-year playing career. And just in case this was it, the Hawks put Carter in with 19.5 seconds left in overtime in what was already clearly going to be a loss to New York.
Carter took an open 3-pointer and made it – the Knicks, aware of the moment, didn’t defend him either – and celebrated with Hawks teammates afterward after what may be the final shot of his career.
”A weird, but cool memory,” Carter said.
Also shut down: The G League, the NBA’s minor league where teams have somewhere between six and nine games left on their 50-game schedules.
The NBA’s movement toward empty arenas in the short term came on the same day that the NCAA announced that the men’s and women’s Division I tournaments would be played without fans – except for a few family members – permitted inside to watch.
”People are clearly taking the measures that they feel they need to take for safety,” said Heat guard Duncan Robinson, who played in both the Division I and Division III national championship games during his college days at Michigan and Williams.
Robinson added, ”but at the same time the NBA has to protect its players in the league and the fans.”
Things were trending toward games in empty arenas for some time, and it was abundantly clear Wednesday morning when the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases told a Congressional committee that he would recommend the NBA not allow fans at games in response to the coronavirus.
Dr. Anthony Fauci was responding to a question asked by Rep. Glenn Grothman, a Wisconsin Republican, ”is the NBA underreacting or is the Ivy League overreacting?” Grothman was referencing how the Ivy League recently canceled its basketball tournaments, instead of having them without fans or keeping the status quo.
”We would recommend that there not be large crowds,” Fauci said. ”If that means not having any people in the audience when the NBA plays, so be it. But as a public health official, anything that has crowds is something that would give a risk to spread.”
That was when the concern was about crowds and containment.
By the close of business Wednesday in the NBA, the concern was so much more.
”This is surreal,” Borrego said. ”This is reality for us now. It’s no longer just on TV somewhere. This is now home.”
—
More on the NBA At 75: https://apnews.com/hub/nba-at-75
—
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports |
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/pa/article-10692341/No-clear-timeline-Jamie-Vardy-return-reveals-Brendan-Rodgers.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | No clear timeline for Jamie Vardy return, reveals Brendan Rodgers
Brendan Rodgers admits it is difficult to see when Jamie Vardy will return for Leicester.
The Foxes host PSV in the first leg of their Europa Conference League quarter-final on Thursday without Vardy.
The striker has been sidelined for a month after suffering a knee injury in the 1-0 win over Leeds.
Vardy is running again but is still struggling with the problem and Rodgers was downbeat regarding when he would be available.
“It is hard to put a timeline on it,” he explained. “He is still feeling pain within the knee. He can run and he is outside, but when he is striking the ball there is an issue, so we will have to get to the bottom of that.
“I just spoke to Jamie. He had been outside, running in straight lines. It was just when he was opening up the MCL (medial collateral ligament) a bit when he is striking the ball that he was getting some pain in that.
Brendan Rodgers is unsure when Jamie Vardy will return (Andrew Matthews/PA)
“I will have to speak to the medical team to see where that is at, but it doesn’t sound as if he is too close to being back.”
Danny Ward and Wilfred Ndidi (both knee) are also out, while Luke Thomas has shrugged off a hamstring injury.
Timothy Castagne is likely to continue at left-back and the Belgium international is eyeing victory in the competition.
The Foxes are 10th in the Premier League, 14 points off seventh place – a spot which could still offer European football next season.
Winning the Conference League would send them back into the Europa League and Castagne wants to become the tournament’s maiden victors.
He said: “We still have the Premier League, but why limit your options? It’s a big motivation.
“It’s a possibility of a trophy which you never say no to. We’re very positive.
“We know PSV have a lot of quality players and they play very well. They try to play football, not kick it long, but it can also play to our advantage, because if they take risks and if we press them we can take chances from that. We have to get the pressing right.
“One or two legs, it doesn’t matter. We’ll try to win the first one and then the next one. You don’t think about the score until the last five or 10 minutes of the second leg.” | 0 | 53,845 | 0.08203 | https://www.newschainonline.com/sport/mens-sport/football/no-clear-timeline-for-jamie-vardy-return-reveals-brendan-rodgers-263701 | 2022-04-06 14:43:46+00:00 | No clear timeline for Jamie Vardy return, reveals Brendan Rodgers
Brendan Rodgers admits it is difficult to see when Jamie Vardy will return for Leicester.
The Foxes host PSV in the first leg of their Europa Conference League quarter-final on Thursday without Vardy.
The striker has been sidelined for a month after suffering a knee injury in the 1-0 win over Leeds.
Vardy is running again but is still struggling with the problem and Rodgers was downbeat regarding when he would be available.
“It is hard to put a timeline on it,” he explained. “He is still feeling pain within the knee. He can run and he is outside, but when he is striking the ball there is an issue, so we will have to get to the bottom of that.
“I just spoke to Jamie. He had been outside, running in straight lines. It was just when he was opening up the MCL (medial collateral ligament) a bit when he is striking the ball that he was getting some pain in that.
“I will have to speak to the medical team to see where that is at, but it doesn’t sound as if he is too close to being back.”
Danny Ward and Wilfred Ndidi (both knee) are also out, while Luke Thomas has shrugged off a hamstring injury.
Timothy Castagne is likely to continue at left-back and the Belgium international is eyeing victory in the competition.
The Foxes are 10th in the Premier League, 14 points off seventh place – a spot which could still offer European football next season.
Winning the Conference League would send them back into the Europa League and Castagne wants to become the tournament’s maiden victors.
He said: “We still have the Premier League, but why limit your options? It’s a big motivation.
“It’s a possibility of a trophy which you never say no to. We’re very positive.
“We know PSV have a lot of quality players and they play very well. They try to play football, not kick it long, but it can also play to our advantage, because if they take risks and if we press them we can take chances from that. We have to get the pressing right.
“One or two legs, it doesn’t matter. We’ll try to win the first one and then the next one. You don’t think about the score until the last five or 10 minutes of the second leg.”
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https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/pa/article-10692341/No-clear-timeline-Jamie-Vardy-return-reveals-Brendan-Rodgers.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | No clear timeline for Jamie Vardy return, reveals Brendan Rodgers
Brendan Rodgers admits it is difficult to see when Jamie Vardy will return for Leicester.
The Foxes host PSV in the first leg of their Europa Conference League quarter-final on Thursday without Vardy.
The striker has been sidelined for a month after suffering a knee injury in the 1-0 win over Leeds.
Vardy is running again but is still struggling with the problem and Rodgers was downbeat regarding when he would be available.
“It is hard to put a timeline on it,” he explained. “He is still feeling pain within the knee. He can run and he is outside, but when he is striking the ball there is an issue, so we will have to get to the bottom of that.
“I just spoke to Jamie. He had been outside, running in straight lines. It was just when he was opening up the MCL (medial collateral ligament) a bit when he is striking the ball that he was getting some pain in that.
Brendan Rodgers is unsure when Jamie Vardy will return (Andrew Matthews/PA)
“I will have to speak to the medical team to see where that is at, but it doesn’t sound as if he is too close to being back.”
Danny Ward and Wilfred Ndidi (both knee) are also out, while Luke Thomas has shrugged off a hamstring injury.
Timothy Castagne is likely to continue at left-back and the Belgium international is eyeing victory in the competition.
The Foxes are 10th in the Premier League, 14 points off seventh place – a spot which could still offer European football next season.
Winning the Conference League would send them back into the Europa League and Castagne wants to become the tournament’s maiden victors.
He said: “We still have the Premier League, but why limit your options? It’s a big motivation.
“It’s a possibility of a trophy which you never say no to. We’re very positive.
“We know PSV have a lot of quality players and they play very well. They try to play football, not kick it long, but it can also play to our advantage, because if they take risks and if we press them we can take chances from that. We have to get the pressing right.
“One or two legs, it doesn’t matter. We’ll try to win the first one and then the next one. You don’t think about the score until the last five or 10 minutes of the second leg.” | 1 | 64,485 | 0.114883 | https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/no-clear-timeline-for-jamie-vardy-return-reveals-brendan-rodgers-1649252912000 | 2022-04-06 15:30:55+00:00 | No clear timeline for Jamie Vardy return, reveals Brendan Rodgers
By PA Staff published
Brendan Rodgers admits it is difficult to see when Jamie Vardy will return for Leicester.
The Foxes host PSV in the first leg of their Europa Conference League quarter-final on Thursday without Vardy.
The striker has been sidelined for a month after suffering a knee injury in the 1-0 win over Leeds.
Vardy is running again but is still struggling with the problem and Rodgers was downbeat regarding when he would be available.
“It is hard to put a timeline on it,” he explained. “He is still feeling pain within the knee. He can run and he is outside, but when he is striking the ball there is an issue, so we will have to get to the bottom of that.
“I just spoke to Jamie. He had been outside, running in straight lines. It was just when he was opening up the MCL (medial collateral ligament) a bit when he is striking the ball that he was getting some pain in that.
“I will have to speak to the medical team to see where that is at, but it doesn’t sound as if he is too close to being back.”
Danny Ward and Wilfred Ndidi (both knee) are also out, while Luke Thomas has shrugged off a hamstring injury.
Timothy Castagne is likely to continue at left-back and the Belgium international is eyeing victory in the competition.
The Foxes are 10th in the Premier League, 14 points off seventh place – a spot which could still offer European football next season.
Winning the Conference League would send them back into the Europa League and Castagne wants to become the tournament’s maiden victors.
He said: “We still have the Premier League, but why limit your options? It’s a big motivation.
“It’s a possibility of a trophy which you never say no to. We’re very positive.
“We know PSV have a lot of quality players and they play very well. They try to play football, not kick it long, but it can also play to our advantage, because if they take risks and if we press them we can take chances from that. We have to get the pressing right.
“One or two legs, it doesn’t matter. We’ll try to win the first one and then the next one. You don’t think about the score until the last five or 10 minutes of the second leg.”
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https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/pa/article-10692341/No-clear-timeline-Jamie-Vardy-return-reveals-Brendan-Rodgers.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | No clear timeline for Jamie Vardy return, reveals Brendan Rodgers
Brendan Rodgers admits it is difficult to see when Jamie Vardy will return for Leicester.
The Foxes host PSV in the first leg of their Europa Conference League quarter-final on Thursday without Vardy.
The striker has been sidelined for a month after suffering a knee injury in the 1-0 win over Leeds.
Vardy is running again but is still struggling with the problem and Rodgers was downbeat regarding when he would be available.
“It is hard to put a timeline on it,” he explained. “He is still feeling pain within the knee. He can run and he is outside, but when he is striking the ball there is an issue, so we will have to get to the bottom of that.
“I just spoke to Jamie. He had been outside, running in straight lines. It was just when he was opening up the MCL (medial collateral ligament) a bit when he is striking the ball that he was getting some pain in that.
Brendan Rodgers is unsure when Jamie Vardy will return (Andrew Matthews/PA)
“I will have to speak to the medical team to see where that is at, but it doesn’t sound as if he is too close to being back.”
Danny Ward and Wilfred Ndidi (both knee) are also out, while Luke Thomas has shrugged off a hamstring injury.
Timothy Castagne is likely to continue at left-back and the Belgium international is eyeing victory in the competition.
The Foxes are 10th in the Premier League, 14 points off seventh place – a spot which could still offer European football next season.
Winning the Conference League would send them back into the Europa League and Castagne wants to become the tournament’s maiden victors.
He said: “We still have the Premier League, but why limit your options? It’s a big motivation.
“It’s a possibility of a trophy which you never say no to. We’re very positive.
“We know PSV have a lot of quality players and they play very well. They try to play football, not kick it long, but it can also play to our advantage, because if they take risks and if we press them we can take chances from that. We have to get the pressing right.
“One or two legs, it doesn’t matter. We’ll try to win the first one and then the next one. You don’t think about the score until the last five or 10 minutes of the second leg.” | 2 | 20,636 | 0.191619 | https://neptunepine.com/no-clear-timeline-for-jamie-vardy-return-reveals-brendan-rodgers/ | 2022-04-06 21:50:44+00:00 | Brendan Rodgers admits it is difficult to see when Jamie Vardy will return for Leicester.
The Foxes host PSV in the first leg of their Europa Conference League quarter-final on Thursday without Vardy.
The striker has been sidelined for a month after suffering a knee injury in the 1-0 win over Leeds.
Vardy is running again but is still struggling with the problem and Rodgers was downbeat regarding when he would be available.
“It is hard to put a timeline on it,” he explained. “He is still feeling pain within the knee. He can run and he is outside, but when he is striking the ball there is an issue, so we will have to get to the bottom of that.
“I just spoke to Jamie. He had been outside, running in straight lines. It was just when he was opening up the MCL (medial collateral ligament) a bit when he is striking the ball that he was getting some pain in that.
“I will have to speak to the medical team to see where that is at, but it doesn’t sound as if he is too close to being back.”
Danny Ward and Wilfred Ndidi (both knee) are also out, while Luke Thomas has shrugged off a hamstring injury.
Timothy Castagne is likely to continue at left-back and the Belgium international is eyeing victory in the competition.
The Foxes are 10th in the Premier League, 14 points off seventh place – a spot which could still offer European football next season.
Winning the Conference League would send them back into the Europa League and Castagne wants to become the tournament’s maiden victors.
He said: “We still have the Premier League, but why limit your options? It’s a big motivation.
“It’s a possibility of a trophy which you never say no to. We’re very positive.
“We know PSV have a lot of quality players and they play very well. They try to play football, not kick it long, but it can also play to our advantage, because if they take risks and if we press them we can take chances from that. We have to get the pressing right.
“One or two legs, it doesn’t matter. We’ll try to win the first one and then the next one. You don’t think about the score until the last five or 10 minutes of the second leg.”
Source Link No clear timeline for Jamie Vardy return, reveals Brendan Rodgers |
https://www.wfla.com/disney/disney-subscribers-to-get-25-discounts-at-disney-world/ | ORLANDO, Fla. (WFLA) — Disney+ subscribers will get an additional perk while visiting Disney World this summer.
Walt Disney World announced that those who have Disney+ will be eligible for a 25% discount for rooms at certain Disney resorts from July 8 to Sept. 30, 2022.
This comes after Disney announced its new “Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind” ride would be opening in May.
To take advantage of the offer, visitors must make sure their My Disney Experience account uses the same email as the Disney+ subscription. Those with separate accounts can call the Disney Reservation Center at 407-939-2833† to merge the accounts.
Disney World’s website said a proof of subscription will be required, and the subscriber must stay in the room for the discount to apply. Additional per-adult charges may be made if there are more than two adults per room at the Disney Value, Moderate, and Deluxe Resorts and Studios at Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts.
The offer does not include rooms at three-bedroom villas, Cabins at Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort – Little Mermaid Standard Rooms. Special events are also not covered by the discount.
The number of discounted rooms is limited. Reservations can be made online or through a travel agent. | 0 | 37,470 | 0.521034 | https://www.newsbreak.com/news/2564845869854/disney-subscribers-to-get-discount-at-disney-world-resorts | 2022-04-09 00:06:30+00:00 | Disney+ subscribers to get discount at Disney World resorts
( WXIN ) — For the first time, Walt Disney World is giving an exclusive deal to Disney+ subscribers.
Fans with a subscription to Disney’s streaming service can save up to 25% on rooms at select Disney resorts in Florida most nights from July 8 through Sept. 30, 2022.
Student loan pause extended again — is there an end game?To claim the offer, your Disney+ subscription must be linked to your My Disney Experience account.
Subscribers will be able to enjoy the standard perks that come with staying at a Walt Disney World resort, including complimentary transportation such as the monorail, Disney Skyliner and water taxis.
As part of Disney World’s 50th-anniversary celebration, resort guests also get 30 minutes of early entry to all four Disney parks (Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom).
STAY IN THE KNOW : Sign up for the WOWK 13 News Daily NewsletterGuests staying in Disney Deluxe or Deluxe Villa Resorts will get extended evening hours on select nights in select theme parks.
Copyright 2022 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOWK 13 News. |
https://www.wfla.com/disney/disney-subscribers-to-get-25-discounts-at-disney-world/ | ORLANDO, Fla. (WFLA) — Disney+ subscribers will get an additional perk while visiting Disney World this summer.
Walt Disney World announced that those who have Disney+ will be eligible for a 25% discount for rooms at certain Disney resorts from July 8 to Sept. 30, 2022.
This comes after Disney announced its new “Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind” ride would be opening in May.
To take advantage of the offer, visitors must make sure their My Disney Experience account uses the same email as the Disney+ subscription. Those with separate accounts can call the Disney Reservation Center at 407-939-2833† to merge the accounts.
Disney World’s website said a proof of subscription will be required, and the subscriber must stay in the room for the discount to apply. Additional per-adult charges may be made if there are more than two adults per room at the Disney Value, Moderate, and Deluxe Resorts and Studios at Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts.
The offer does not include rooms at three-bedroom villas, Cabins at Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort – Little Mermaid Standard Rooms. Special events are also not covered by the discount.
The number of discounted rooms is limited. Reservations can be made online or through a travel agent. | 1 | 118,642 | 0.524126 | https://www.newsbreak.com/news/2564702091708/disney-subscribers-to-get-discount-at-disney-world-resorts | 2022-04-07 18:51:39+00:00 | Disney+ subscribers to get discount at Disney World resorts
( WXIN ) — For the first time, Walt Disney World is giving an exclusive deal to Disney+ subscribers.
Fans with a subscription to Disney’s streaming service can save up to 25% on rooms at select Disney resorts in Florida most nights from July 8 through Sept. 30, 2022.
To claim the offer, your Disney+ subscription must be linked to your My Disney Experience account.
New fees proposed to park, camp at Great Smoky Mountains National ParkSubscribers will be able to enjoy the standard perks that come with staying at a Walt Disney World resort, including complimentary transportation such as the monorail, Disney Skyliner and water taxis.
As part of Disney World’s 50th-anniversary celebration, resort guests also get 30 minutes of early entry to all four Disney parks (Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom).
Guests staying in Disney Deluxe or Deluxe Villa Resorts will get extended evening hours on select nights in select theme parks.
Copyright 2022 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side. |
https://www.wfla.com/disney/disney-subscribers-to-get-25-discounts-at-disney-world/ | ORLANDO, Fla. (WFLA) — Disney+ subscribers will get an additional perk while visiting Disney World this summer.
Walt Disney World announced that those who have Disney+ will be eligible for a 25% discount for rooms at certain Disney resorts from July 8 to Sept. 30, 2022.
This comes after Disney announced its new “Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind” ride would be opening in May.
To take advantage of the offer, visitors must make sure their My Disney Experience account uses the same email as the Disney+ subscription. Those with separate accounts can call the Disney Reservation Center at 407-939-2833† to merge the accounts.
Disney World’s website said a proof of subscription will be required, and the subscriber must stay in the room for the discount to apply. Additional per-adult charges may be made if there are more than two adults per room at the Disney Value, Moderate, and Deluxe Resorts and Studios at Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts.
The offer does not include rooms at three-bedroom villas, Cabins at Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort – Little Mermaid Standard Rooms. Special events are also not covered by the discount.
The number of discounted rooms is limited. Reservations can be made online or through a travel agent. | 2 | 2,623 | 0.526441 | https://www.newsbreak.com/news/2564605737933/disney-subscribers-to-get-discount-at-disney-world-resorts | 2022-04-08 10:24:45+00:00 | Disney+ subscribers to get discount at Disney World resorts
( WXIN ) — For the first time, Walt Disney World is giving an exclusive deal to Disney+ subscribers.
Fans with a subscription to Disney’s streaming service can save up to 25% on rooms at select Disney resorts in Florida most nights from July 8 through Sept. 30, 2022.
To claim the offer, your Disney+ subscription must be linked to your My Disney Experience account.
Indy brunch spot named one of ‘America’s best’Subscribers will be able to enjoy the standard perks that come with staying at a Walt Disney World resort, including complimentary transportation such as the monorail, Disney Skyliner and water taxis.
As part of Disney World’s 50th-anniversary celebration, resort guests also get 30 minutes of early entry to all four Disney parks (Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom).
Guests staying in Disney Deluxe or Deluxe Villa Resorts will get extended evening hours on select nights in select theme parks.
Copyright 2022 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com. |
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20220406/Researchers-explore-the-link-between-immunoglobulins-and-blood-profile-in-severe-SARS-CoV-2-patients.aspx | A recent report posted to the Research Square* preprint server, whilst under consideration at the Clinical and Molecular Allergy journal, illustrated the association of immunoglobulins (Igs) with blood characteristics in severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients.
Background
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is commonly diagnosed based on clinical manifestations, laboratory examinations, and computed tomography (CT) imaging.
Presently, the laboratory diagnosis of COVID-19 is conducted via SARS-CoV-2 ribonucleic acid (RNA) detection in nasal or throat swabs by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests. Nevertheless, several factors, such as the low accuracy of quantitative RT-PCR (RT-qPCR) kits and operation protocols, affect the accuracy and sensitivity of the RT-PCR assay in COVID-19 diagnosis. Thus, a combination of non-PCR-based and PCR strategies is required for rapid and accurate detection of SARS-CoV-2.
Since SARS-CoV-2 harbors epidemiological and genetic features similar to Middle East respiratory CoV (MERS-CoV) and SARS-CoV, a serologic analysis employed for the detection of IgG/IgM antibodies developed against these CoVs might be beneficial in shedding light on COVID-19 or the duration of disease in suspected patients. The humoral immunological response to SARS-CoV-2, on the other hand, has been largely unclear.
About the study
In the present retrospective cross-sectional research, the investigators determined the IgG and IgM antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 and clinical features in 100 COVID-19 patients with varying disease severity. The 18 to 75 years old SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals admitted to the Shahid Beheshti Hospital of Kashan University of Medical Science between June 21 and September 20, 2020, were included in this study. Patients with immune disorders or cancer were excluded from the present research.
SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis of the enrolled volunteers was based on clinical symptoms and a positive RT-PCR test. Laboratory and clinical details of the study volunteers, including IgG/IgM levels, were procured and assessed upon SARS-CoV-2-linked hospitalization and two months after the hospital admission. The IgG and IgM antibody levels were estimated using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The clinical data of the patients were gathered from their health records.
The study volunteers were stratified into three cohorts based on the following guidelines: 1) severe cases: COVID-19 patients with either hypoxia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), shock, respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation, or other organ failures that need intensive care unit (ICU) care; 2) moderate cases: SARS-CoV-2-infected people with radiological evidence of pneumonia along with respiratory symptoms, fever, and other symptoms; 3) mild cases: COVID-19 patients without imaging evidence of pneumonia.
Results and discussions
The study results showed that there were 22, 38, and 40 SARS-CoV-2-infected patients in the mild, moderate, and severe COVID-19 groups, respectively. Among the 100 COVID-19 patients, 52 were males, and 48 were females. The average age of the study participants was 50 years, and the median age of the severe and moderate groups was marginally higher than the mild cohort. As a result, there was no discernible link between patient age and SARS-CoV-2 severity. Additionally, the proportion of males was slightly higher than females in the moderate and severe cohorts relative to the mild group.
In total, 78 COVID-19 patients had radiological manifestations of pneumonia during their initial clinical assessment. The most frequent underlying comorbidity in SARS-CoV-2-infected patients was cardiovascular disease, diabetes, asthma, and hypertension. The clinical symptoms of COVID-19 patients, which substantially correlated with SARS-CoV-2 infection severity, included obesity, fever, shortness of breath, taste disorder, muscle soreness, chill, loss of consciousness, anorexia, and odor disorder.
Nonetheless, the researchers found no drastic associations between COVID-19 severity and gender, blood group, age, and underlying comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, organ failure, cardiovascular disease, asthma, also other symptoms like sore throat, fatigue, headache, chest pain, vomiting, nausea, visual impairment, and diarrhea.
While various laboratory markers such as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), D-dimer, and ferritin were elevated in the majority of SARS-CoV-2-infected patients, fibrinogen level was reduced at baseline upon COVID-19-related hospitalization relative to two months post-hospital admission.
Liver injury markers like alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and aspartate transaminase (AST) were also substantially elevated at baseline in SARS-CoV-2-infected patients. Furthermore, a correlation was observed between high neutrophil (NUT), white blood count (WBU), and low lymphocyte (LYM) counts with elevated IgG levels two months following SARS-CoV-2-linked hospitalization, leading to durable immune responses. As a result, severe COVID-19 patients exhibited longer and better immunity relative to mild groups.
Conclusions
The study findings indicated that the anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody titers were drastically higher in severe COVID-19 patients than in the mild and moderate cohorts two months following SARS-CoV-2-related hospitalization. Additionally, the IgG levels positively correlated with elevated NUT and WBC and decreased LYM counts in severe SARS-CoV-2 patients than in moderate or mild cohorts after two months of COVID-19-linked hospitalization.
Collectively, the authors state that serological markers, especially IgG levels, were the most significant anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses in COVID-19 patients. The researchers further suggested that IgG levels could assist in the diagnosis of cured or active SARS-CoV-2 infection.
The current work indicated that COVID-19 patients with severe disease probably experience long SARS-CoV-2 exposure times and robust antibody response against the viral infection. Hence, severe COVID-19 patients demonstrate durable immunity versus other SARS-CoV-2 infection severity groups.
*Important notice
Research Square publish preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information. | 0 | 83,124 | 0.721464 | https://www.news-medical.net/news/20220509/Exploring-low-serum-volume-assays-for-SARS-CoV-2-antibodies.aspx | 2022-05-09 18:49:24+00:00 | In a recent study posted to the medRxiv* preprint server, researchers developed several non-commercial (in-house) low serum volume assays for detecting and characterizing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies.
Antibody testing is important to assess SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence, especially to identify asymptomatic cases among individuals residing in remote locations and low- and middle-income nations. Current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) diagnostic assays are expensive and technique-sensitive, warranting the need for cheap and simple tests for anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.
About the study
In the present study, researchers developed low-serum volume (<10 µl) assays for COVID-19 diagnosis and optimizing discrimination between pre-pandemic controls and COVID-19 cases.
Serum samples were obtained from 984 pre-pandemic (known negative) individuals and from 269 suspected or polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-confirmed COVID-19 (known positive) patients.
The assays included total antibody and isotype-specific, standardized, low serum volume assays such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) for detecting total or antibody isotypes to SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N) protein or spike (S) protein and its receptor-binding domain (RBD). They also developed anti-RBD isotype-specific luciferase immunoprecipitation system (LIPS) assays and a novel S-RBD bridging LIPS total-antibody assay for COVID-19 diagnosis.
For every antigen, ELISAs were performed to assess the total antibody or Pan Immunoglobulin G (IgG) titers using commercial anti-human IgG secondary antiserum assays that detect all the isotypes (Pan antibodies), or IgA, IgM, and IgG isotypes using class-specific antibodies. In addition, LIPS assays measuring RBD-specific antibodies were developed. To measure IgA and IgG isotypes, an unlabelled RBD competing with Nluc-labelled RBD was used. For the evaluation of total antibody titers with high affinity for RBD, the novel S-RBD bridging assay was used.
The assay thresholds were determined based on three criteria: 1) 99th percentile of pre-pandemic controls; 2) 98th percentile of pre-pandemic controls, and 3) highest Youden Index for achieving balanced specificity and sensitivity. The assay results were compared with that of neutralization assays based on the neutralizing titer of antibody (ND50) values.
Results
In the study, the team developed 12 ELISAs that detected total antibodies or antibody isotypes to SARS-CoV-2 N, or S RBD. In the blind analysis, the S-RBD bridging LIPS and the S pan ELISA demonstrated >92% and >97% sensitivity and specificity, respectively among SARs-CoV-2-positive samples after 21 days of symptom onset or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results.
For every antigen, the Pan ELISAs performed better than the IgG-specific assays to distinguish COVID-19 cases from the pre-pandemic controls. SARS-CoV-2-positive cases demonstrated a greater area under the curve (AUCs) after the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analyses.
In the IgA and IgG isotype titers, improved discrimination between the pre-pandemic samples and the COVID-19 samples was observed using Nluc-labelled RBD and unlabelled RBD whereas those observed in IgM titers were not optimal. As observed in the Pan ELISAs, the S-RBD bridging assay showed better AUCs post-ROC analysis for discriminating COVID-19 samples from the controls. Despite the same antigen use, the RBD LIPS assays demonstrated better AUCs than the RBD-specific ELISAs for all Ig isotypes.
In the threshold analysis, all assays accurately distinguished the COVID-19 cases from the pre-pandemic samples (AUCs between 0.95 to 0.997). The S-RBD bridging LIPS assay demonstrated optimal and near-perfect performance (AUC = 0.997). All assay thresholds showed >96% specificity. The S Pan ELISA demonstrated the highest specificity of 97.3%. In addition, the screening assays showed fewer intra-assay and inter-assay variations.
In the sensitivity analysis, the S Pan ELISA and the S-RBD bridging LIPS assays showed the highest sensitivities for COVID-19 detection (between 92.4 and 95.7% for >21 days post-infection). Compared to the commercial Roche assay, the S-RBD Bridging LIPS assay and the S Pan ELISA showed optimal sensitivity for COVID-19 detection, >93% sensitivity vs 85.5% for the Roche assay. The N Pan and RBD Pan ELISAs showed 76.97 and 76.3% sensitivity, respectively. The strongest agreements were observed between the S and RBD Pan ELISA assays and between the IgG and total antibody (Bridging or Pan) assays. The binding antibody units (BAU)/ml values in the in-house assays were comparable to those of the World Health Organization (WHO)/ National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC) reference.
In the neutralization analyses, the assays reasonably neutralized the COVID-19 samples (ND50 >125) with results in the high positive range for the S and RBD-specific assays (e.g., > 0.72 Normalised OD on the S Pan assay and >20 units on the S-RBD Bridging assay). The S IgA and IgG ELISA assays showed the strongest correlation with half-maximal neutralization titers.
Overall, the study findings showed that low-volume assays are an economically viable option with high diagnostic accuracy for the detection and characterization of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Such assays would be highly beneficial for low and middle-income nations where commercial assays requiring 100-times higher serum volumes may not always be feasible.
*Important notice
medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information. |
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20220406/Researchers-explore-the-link-between-immunoglobulins-and-blood-profile-in-severe-SARS-CoV-2-patients.aspx | A recent report posted to the Research Square* preprint server, whilst under consideration at the Clinical and Molecular Allergy journal, illustrated the association of immunoglobulins (Igs) with blood characteristics in severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients.
Background
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is commonly diagnosed based on clinical manifestations, laboratory examinations, and computed tomography (CT) imaging.
Presently, the laboratory diagnosis of COVID-19 is conducted via SARS-CoV-2 ribonucleic acid (RNA) detection in nasal or throat swabs by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests. Nevertheless, several factors, such as the low accuracy of quantitative RT-PCR (RT-qPCR) kits and operation protocols, affect the accuracy and sensitivity of the RT-PCR assay in COVID-19 diagnosis. Thus, a combination of non-PCR-based and PCR strategies is required for rapid and accurate detection of SARS-CoV-2.
Since SARS-CoV-2 harbors epidemiological and genetic features similar to Middle East respiratory CoV (MERS-CoV) and SARS-CoV, a serologic analysis employed for the detection of IgG/IgM antibodies developed against these CoVs might be beneficial in shedding light on COVID-19 or the duration of disease in suspected patients. The humoral immunological response to SARS-CoV-2, on the other hand, has been largely unclear.
About the study
In the present retrospective cross-sectional research, the investigators determined the IgG and IgM antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 and clinical features in 100 COVID-19 patients with varying disease severity. The 18 to 75 years old SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals admitted to the Shahid Beheshti Hospital of Kashan University of Medical Science between June 21 and September 20, 2020, were included in this study. Patients with immune disorders or cancer were excluded from the present research.
SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis of the enrolled volunteers was based on clinical symptoms and a positive RT-PCR test. Laboratory and clinical details of the study volunteers, including IgG/IgM levels, were procured and assessed upon SARS-CoV-2-linked hospitalization and two months after the hospital admission. The IgG and IgM antibody levels were estimated using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The clinical data of the patients were gathered from their health records.
The study volunteers were stratified into three cohorts based on the following guidelines: 1) severe cases: COVID-19 patients with either hypoxia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), shock, respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation, or other organ failures that need intensive care unit (ICU) care; 2) moderate cases: SARS-CoV-2-infected people with radiological evidence of pneumonia along with respiratory symptoms, fever, and other symptoms; 3) mild cases: COVID-19 patients without imaging evidence of pneumonia.
Results and discussions
The study results showed that there were 22, 38, and 40 SARS-CoV-2-infected patients in the mild, moderate, and severe COVID-19 groups, respectively. Among the 100 COVID-19 patients, 52 were males, and 48 were females. The average age of the study participants was 50 years, and the median age of the severe and moderate groups was marginally higher than the mild cohort. As a result, there was no discernible link between patient age and SARS-CoV-2 severity. Additionally, the proportion of males was slightly higher than females in the moderate and severe cohorts relative to the mild group.
In total, 78 COVID-19 patients had radiological manifestations of pneumonia during their initial clinical assessment. The most frequent underlying comorbidity in SARS-CoV-2-infected patients was cardiovascular disease, diabetes, asthma, and hypertension. The clinical symptoms of COVID-19 patients, which substantially correlated with SARS-CoV-2 infection severity, included obesity, fever, shortness of breath, taste disorder, muscle soreness, chill, loss of consciousness, anorexia, and odor disorder.
Nonetheless, the researchers found no drastic associations between COVID-19 severity and gender, blood group, age, and underlying comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, organ failure, cardiovascular disease, asthma, also other symptoms like sore throat, fatigue, headache, chest pain, vomiting, nausea, visual impairment, and diarrhea.
While various laboratory markers such as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), D-dimer, and ferritin were elevated in the majority of SARS-CoV-2-infected patients, fibrinogen level was reduced at baseline upon COVID-19-related hospitalization relative to two months post-hospital admission.
Liver injury markers like alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and aspartate transaminase (AST) were also substantially elevated at baseline in SARS-CoV-2-infected patients. Furthermore, a correlation was observed between high neutrophil (NUT), white blood count (WBU), and low lymphocyte (LYM) counts with elevated IgG levels two months following SARS-CoV-2-linked hospitalization, leading to durable immune responses. As a result, severe COVID-19 patients exhibited longer and better immunity relative to mild groups.
Conclusions
The study findings indicated that the anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody titers were drastically higher in severe COVID-19 patients than in the mild and moderate cohorts two months following SARS-CoV-2-related hospitalization. Additionally, the IgG levels positively correlated with elevated NUT and WBC and decreased LYM counts in severe SARS-CoV-2 patients than in moderate or mild cohorts after two months of COVID-19-linked hospitalization.
Collectively, the authors state that serological markers, especially IgG levels, were the most significant anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses in COVID-19 patients. The researchers further suggested that IgG levels could assist in the diagnosis of cured or active SARS-CoV-2 infection.
The current work indicated that COVID-19 patients with severe disease probably experience long SARS-CoV-2 exposure times and robust antibody response against the viral infection. Hence, severe COVID-19 patients demonstrate durable immunity versus other SARS-CoV-2 infection severity groups.
*Important notice
Research Square publish preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information. | 1 | 122,205 | 0.726749 | https://www.news-medical.net/news/20220522/Anti-SARS-CoV-2-titers-predict-COVID-severity.aspx | 2022-05-23 03:01:47+00:00 | A recent study published in the journal Viruses reported that antibody titers against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) could serve as a marker for the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
COVID-19 manifests as a mild asymptomatic disease to acute respiratory disease syndrome (ARDS). The condition is often biphasic, with ARDS developing some days after mild symptoms due to pro-inflammatory cytokine release. Hence, it has been speculated that immune response mediated by antibodies might contribute to disease severity. Therefore, early assessment of COVID-19 severity and outcome prediction could help optimize medical care and resources.
Study: Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Titers Predict the Severity of COVID-19. Image Credit: NIAID
About the study
In the present observational study, researchers prospectively evaluated immunoglobulin G (IgG) response in a cohort of patients hospitalized with COVID-19. All patients hospitalized with acute respiratory symptoms or polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-confirmed COVID-19 were included. Those who acquired nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 infection and patients with a concomitant disease with COVID-19 were excluded.
The patient classification was based on disease severity: a) no oxygen therapy, b) oxygen through masks or nasal prongs, c) high-flow oxygen or non-invasive ventilation, d) mechanical ventilation, e) mechanical ventilation and organ support, and f) death. Patients were stratified into mild, moderate, and severe cases.
Patient-related clinical, demographic, and laboratory data were obtained from electronic health records (EHRs). In addition, serial serum samples were obtained from patients on days 0, 7, and 14 post-inclusion. Two serological tests assessed anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG in samples: chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA) and an in-house Luminex assay.
The target proteins for anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were nucleocapsid (N) protein and S1 monomer. CLIA results were reported as arbitrary units (AU)/ml, and Luminex results as median fluorescent intensity (MFI). Fischer’s exact or chi-square tests were performed for categorical variables and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) or Wilcoxon matched-pairs rank test for continuous variables.
Findings
The researchers enrolled 70 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 at Lausanne University Hospital and categorized 19 as mild cases, 29 as moderate cases, and 22 as severe cases. Half of the severe cases were directly admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Males outnumbered females in the cohort, and the median age of subjects was 60 years. More moderate cases showed dyslipidemia and obesity, while severe cases frequently showed dyspnea, cough, and radiological infiltrate.
The cumulative proportion of patients who seroconverted according to both serological methods: Luminex (red), CLIA (blue). The dotted line represents the 50% cumulative seroconversion threshold.
C-reactive protein and D-dimer levels were higher in severe cases. Severe cases presented symptoms for 13 median days after hospitalization, whereas moderate and mild cases had symptoms for eight and nine median days, respectively. Overall, 133 serum samples were tested with Luminex and CLIA tests. On day 0 (D0), 84% and 63% of patients showed positive results on Luminex and CLIA platforms. At D7, 97% of patients had positive results using either testing method.
Samples from all tested patients on D14 were positive for anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies with Luminex tests, while 97% of samples were positive with CLIA. The estimated cumulative seroconversion rate was 25%, 73%, and 98% for Luminex assay, and 14%, 62%, and 96% for CLIA on D7, D14, and D28, respectively. The median time from symptom onset until seroconversion was 11 days for Luminex assay and 13 days for CLIA.
The IgG titers differed significantly according to disease severity. In mild cases, the IgG titers remained relatively stable and low. In contrast, in moderate/severe cases, IgG titers measured using CLIA increased until 14 days (18 days with Luminex) since symptom onset, and high levels sustained after that.
The authors plotted a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to assess the performance of serologic tests on D0 to predict the need for invasive ventilation. The ROC area under the curve (AUC) was comparable for two tests (0.78 for Luminex and 0.79 for CLIA). The optimal prediction was observed for CLIA IgG titers of 50 AU/ml at D0 with an 82% sensitivity, 79% specificity, 63% positive predictive value (PPV), and 91% negative predictive value (NPV).
However, the Luminex assay was also able to predict the need for invasive ventilation. Of the 28 patients with titers above 50.8 AU/ml at D0, eight were already intubated or required immediate intubation, 10 patients required ventilation late during their hospital stay, and the remaining did not require ventilation.
Conclusions
The research team observed that most patients had positive IgG titers at admission and found two distinct patterns of IgG titers over time. Moderate and severe cases had elevated and sustained serologic responses, whereas the titers were low in mild cases. Notably, severe cases had significantly increased IgG titers at admission than moderate/mild cases.
The optimal performance to predict the need to ventilate mechanically was obtained with CLIA tests with a 63% PPV and 91% NPV for the > 50.8 AU/ml cut-off. Moreover, one-third of patients with titers above the cut-off already presented with severe disease at admission and were immediately transferred to ICUs and ventilated invasively. These findings suggested that determining IgG titers at admission could help identify patients at risk of severe outcomes.
Journal reference:
- Anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 Titers Predict the Severity of COVID‐19. Kritikos, A.; Gabellon, S.; Pagani, J.L.; Monti, M.; Bochud, P.Y.; Manuel, O.; Coste, A.; Greub, G.; Perreau, M.; Pantaleo, G.; et al. Viruses, 2022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/v14051089, https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/14/5/1089 |
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20220406/Researchers-explore-the-link-between-immunoglobulins-and-blood-profile-in-severe-SARS-CoV-2-patients.aspx | A recent report posted to the Research Square* preprint server, whilst under consideration at the Clinical and Molecular Allergy journal, illustrated the association of immunoglobulins (Igs) with blood characteristics in severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients.
Background
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is commonly diagnosed based on clinical manifestations, laboratory examinations, and computed tomography (CT) imaging.
Presently, the laboratory diagnosis of COVID-19 is conducted via SARS-CoV-2 ribonucleic acid (RNA) detection in nasal or throat swabs by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests. Nevertheless, several factors, such as the low accuracy of quantitative RT-PCR (RT-qPCR) kits and operation protocols, affect the accuracy and sensitivity of the RT-PCR assay in COVID-19 diagnosis. Thus, a combination of non-PCR-based and PCR strategies is required for rapid and accurate detection of SARS-CoV-2.
Since SARS-CoV-2 harbors epidemiological and genetic features similar to Middle East respiratory CoV (MERS-CoV) and SARS-CoV, a serologic analysis employed for the detection of IgG/IgM antibodies developed against these CoVs might be beneficial in shedding light on COVID-19 or the duration of disease in suspected patients. The humoral immunological response to SARS-CoV-2, on the other hand, has been largely unclear.
About the study
In the present retrospective cross-sectional research, the investigators determined the IgG and IgM antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 and clinical features in 100 COVID-19 patients with varying disease severity. The 18 to 75 years old SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals admitted to the Shahid Beheshti Hospital of Kashan University of Medical Science between June 21 and September 20, 2020, were included in this study. Patients with immune disorders or cancer were excluded from the present research.
SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis of the enrolled volunteers was based on clinical symptoms and a positive RT-PCR test. Laboratory and clinical details of the study volunteers, including IgG/IgM levels, were procured and assessed upon SARS-CoV-2-linked hospitalization and two months after the hospital admission. The IgG and IgM antibody levels were estimated using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The clinical data of the patients were gathered from their health records.
The study volunteers were stratified into three cohorts based on the following guidelines: 1) severe cases: COVID-19 patients with either hypoxia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), shock, respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation, or other organ failures that need intensive care unit (ICU) care; 2) moderate cases: SARS-CoV-2-infected people with radiological evidence of pneumonia along with respiratory symptoms, fever, and other symptoms; 3) mild cases: COVID-19 patients without imaging evidence of pneumonia.
Results and discussions
The study results showed that there were 22, 38, and 40 SARS-CoV-2-infected patients in the mild, moderate, and severe COVID-19 groups, respectively. Among the 100 COVID-19 patients, 52 were males, and 48 were females. The average age of the study participants was 50 years, and the median age of the severe and moderate groups was marginally higher than the mild cohort. As a result, there was no discernible link between patient age and SARS-CoV-2 severity. Additionally, the proportion of males was slightly higher than females in the moderate and severe cohorts relative to the mild group.
In total, 78 COVID-19 patients had radiological manifestations of pneumonia during their initial clinical assessment. The most frequent underlying comorbidity in SARS-CoV-2-infected patients was cardiovascular disease, diabetes, asthma, and hypertension. The clinical symptoms of COVID-19 patients, which substantially correlated with SARS-CoV-2 infection severity, included obesity, fever, shortness of breath, taste disorder, muscle soreness, chill, loss of consciousness, anorexia, and odor disorder.
Nonetheless, the researchers found no drastic associations between COVID-19 severity and gender, blood group, age, and underlying comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, organ failure, cardiovascular disease, asthma, also other symptoms like sore throat, fatigue, headache, chest pain, vomiting, nausea, visual impairment, and diarrhea.
While various laboratory markers such as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), D-dimer, and ferritin were elevated in the majority of SARS-CoV-2-infected patients, fibrinogen level was reduced at baseline upon COVID-19-related hospitalization relative to two months post-hospital admission.
Liver injury markers like alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and aspartate transaminase (AST) were also substantially elevated at baseline in SARS-CoV-2-infected patients. Furthermore, a correlation was observed between high neutrophil (NUT), white blood count (WBU), and low lymphocyte (LYM) counts with elevated IgG levels two months following SARS-CoV-2-linked hospitalization, leading to durable immune responses. As a result, severe COVID-19 patients exhibited longer and better immunity relative to mild groups.
Conclusions
The study findings indicated that the anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody titers were drastically higher in severe COVID-19 patients than in the mild and moderate cohorts two months following SARS-CoV-2-related hospitalization. Additionally, the IgG levels positively correlated with elevated NUT and WBC and decreased LYM counts in severe SARS-CoV-2 patients than in moderate or mild cohorts after two months of COVID-19-linked hospitalization.
Collectively, the authors state that serological markers, especially IgG levels, were the most significant anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses in COVID-19 patients. The researchers further suggested that IgG levels could assist in the diagnosis of cured or active SARS-CoV-2 infection.
The current work indicated that COVID-19 patients with severe disease probably experience long SARS-CoV-2 exposure times and robust antibody response against the viral infection. Hence, severe COVID-19 patients demonstrate durable immunity versus other SARS-CoV-2 infection severity groups.
*Important notice
Research Square publish preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information. | 2 | 30,650 | 0.726918 | https://www.news-medical.net/news/20220519/Study-investigates-the-detection-of-antibodies-against-SARS-CoV-2-in-urine.aspx | 2022-05-19 13:27:30+00:00 | In a recent study published in Science Advances, researchers developed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect antibodies against severe acute respiratory coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in urine samples.
Background
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) could be diagnosed directly by detecting SARS-CoV-2 ribonucleic acid (RNA) or antigens and indirectly by serological assays for specific antibodies. Several serological tests such as ELISA have been developed for COVID-19. Serological assays identify those with immunity against SARS-CoV-2 by detecting specific antibodies like the immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgA, and IgM. Drawing blood samples for tests is the most common invasive method and could be unpleasant or difficult under some circumstances. Moreover, a trained professional is required for the procedure risking exposure to pathogens.
Dried blood spots (DBS), a minimally invasive method, are collected by pricking a finger/heel and could potentially resolve logistic problems associated with venipuncture. Alternatively, urine samples could be useful given their simple and non-invasive collection procedure. Diagnostic tests using urine samples to detect antibodies are suggested as non-invasive alternatives for diagnosing various conditions, including dengue, leishmaniasis, and Helicobacter pylori infection, among others. To date, no study has reported on the applicability/utility of urine samples to detect anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.
The study and findings
In the current study, researchers developed an in-house ELISA using urine samples to detect the recombinant nucleocapsid (N) protein of SARS-CoV-2 in patients with prior COVID-19 history, confirmed by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. A urine-based in-house ELISA protocol was customized using the recombinant N protein to detect anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Urine samples were collected between two- and 60-days post-symptom onset (PSO) from 139 patients.
The team used established serum-based ELISA for comparison and validation. The study included 209 urine samples and 187 paired serum samples. Additionally, the team included unpaired negative samples obtained before 2019 (pre-COVID-19 negative controls) and from persons who maintained a strict quarantine protocol without developing any associated symptoms (post-COVID-19 negative controls).
Of the 209 samples, 187 reacted with the recombinant N protein with a positive index value (above 1.1); 15 samples were indeterminate (index value: 0.8 – 1.1), and seven samples had a negative index value, i.e., less than 0.8. None of the control samples showed reactivity to the N protein with an index value > 1.1. The researchers serially evaluated IgG in urine and serum samples collected from 44 patients at different time points after including them in the study. Seroconversion was evident in urine samples, with the IgG levels increasing after symptom development.
A comparative ELISA with serum or urine samples from 34 patients showed that seroconversion occurs with minor variations in different samples, albeit higher index values were observed from urine samples. A distribution plot was graphed to determine the window when a maximal number of patients had positive index values. Positive index values were observed for 123 patients’ urine samples obtained within 60 days PSO, whereas 107 of the 125 patients’ paired serum samples showed positive index values.
Urine samples from four patients had negative index values before 20 days PSO, while eight serum samples had a negative index value. None of the urine samples collected 20 days after symptom onset had negative index values, while two patients showed a positive index value for their sera. A 93.81% sensitivity was observed for detecting anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the urine samples, whereas for serum samples, it was 87.7%; however, specificity was 100% for both serum and urine samples. A receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve depicted a slightly superior accuracy with urine samples, albeit it did not reach statistical significance.
Conclusions
The results showed that urine-based ELISA was approximately 94% sensitive and 100% specific to detect the recombinant SARS-CoV-2 N protein and that antibodies were detectable a few days after symptom onset. Detection of seroconversion with urine samples was more sensitive than with serum samples. Using urine samples could be more convenient for epidemiologic and clinical studies given the easy, non-invasive self-collection method eliminating the requirement for trained phlebotomists.
Sodium azide was used as a preservative in the study, and the authors noted no change in the assay’s performance for five refrigerated samples of urine lacking sodium azide. Altogether, these findings indicated that urine-based ELISA could be useful to detect SARS-CoV-2 seroconversion, with some advantages such as biological stability of the samples, ease of collection, and improved accuracy. |
https://www.kttc.com/2022/04/06/us-charges-russian-oligarch-dismantles-cybercrime-operation/ | US charges Russian oligarch, dismantles cybercrime operation
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration has charged a Russian oligarch with violating U.S. government sanctions and has disrupted a cybercrime operation launched by a Russian military intelligence agency, officials said Wednesday.
The action came as the Justice Department said it was accelerating efforts to track down illicit Russian assets and as U.S. prosecutors helped European counterparts gather evidence on potential war crimes committed by Russia during its war on Ukraine. FBI and Justice Department officials announced the moves as the U.S. separately revealed sanctions against the two adult daughters of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“We have our eyes on every dollar and jet. We have our eyes on every piece of art and real estate, purchased with dirty money and on every bitcoin wallet filled with proceeds of theft, and other crimes,” Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said. “Together with our partners around the world, our goal is to ensure that sanctioned Russian oligarchs and cyber criminals will not find safe haven.”
The indictment against Konstantin Malofeyev, a Russian media baron and founder of Russian Orthodox news channel, Tsargrad TV, is the first of an oligarch since the Russian invasion in February. The case accuses him of evading Treasury Department sanctions resulting from his financing of Russians promoting separatism in Crimea.
Though sanctions bar U.S. citizens from working for or doing business with him, Malofeyev hired an American television producer to work for him in networks in Russia and Greece and tried to buy a television network in Bulgaria, prosecutors said. Jack Hanick, a former CNBC and Fox News employee, was arrested last month for his work as a television producer for Malofeyev.
The Justice Department also announced that it had taken down a botnet — a network of hijacked computers typically used for malicious activity — that was controlled by the Russian military intelligence agency known as the GRU. The botnet was dismantled before it could cause any damage, said FBI Director Christopher Wray.
Wednesday’s announcements came two days after U.S. officials seized a huge yacht in Spain belonging to a Russian oligarch, Viktor Vekselberg, with close ties to Russian President Putin.
The Justice Department in the past year has taken aim against Russia-based cybercrime, recovering in June most of a multimillion-dollar ransom that Colonial Pipeline paid to hackers after a ransomware attack that halted operations. And the department announced charges last fall against two suspected ransomware operators.
WARNING: The following video contains graphic content.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | 0 | 60,472 | 0 | https://www.dakotanewsnow.com/2022/04/06/us-charges-russian-oligarch-dismantles-cybercrime-operation/ | 2022-04-06 15:14:03+00:00 | US charges Russian oligarch, dismantles cybercrime operation
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration has charged a Russian oligarch with violating U.S. government sanctions and has disrupted a cybercrime operation launched by a Russian military intelligence agency, officials said Wednesday.
The action came as the Justice Department said it was accelerating efforts to track down illicit Russian assets and as U.S. prosecutors helped European counterparts gather evidence on potential war crimes committed by Russia during its war on Ukraine. FBI and Justice Department officials announced the moves as the U.S. separately revealed sanctions against the two adult daughters of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“We have our eyes on every dollar and jet. We have our eyes on every piece of art and real estate, purchased with dirty money and on every bitcoin wallet filled with proceeds of theft, and other crimes,” Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said. “Together with our partners around the world, our goal is to ensure that sanctioned Russian oligarchs and cyber criminals will not find safe haven.”
The indictment against Konstantin Malofeyev, a Russian media baron and founder of Russian Orthodox news channel, Tsargrad TV, is the first of an oligarch since the Russian invasion in February. The case accuses him of evading Treasury Department sanctions resulting from his financing of Russians promoting separatism in Crimea.
Though sanctions bar U.S. citizens from working for or doing business with him, Malofeyev hired an American television producer to work for him in networks in Russia and Greece and tried to buy a television network in Bulgaria, prosecutors said. Jack Hanick, a former CNBC and Fox News employee, was arrested last month for his work as a television producer for Malofeyev.
The Justice Department also announced that it had taken down a botnet — a network of hijacked computers typically used for malicious activity — that was controlled by the Russian military intelligence agency known as the GRU. The botnet was dismantled before it could cause any damage, said FBI Director Christopher Wray.
Wednesday’s announcements came two days after U.S. officials seized a huge yacht in Spain belonging to a Russian oligarch, Viktor Vekselberg, with close ties to Russian President Putin.
The Justice Department in the past year has taken aim against Russia-based cybercrime, recovering in June most of a multimillion-dollar ransom that Colonial Pipeline paid to hackers after a ransomware attack that halted operations. And the department announced charges last fall against two suspected ransomware operators.
WARNING: The following video contains graphic content.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. |
https://www.kttc.com/2022/04/06/us-charges-russian-oligarch-dismantles-cybercrime-operation/ | US charges Russian oligarch, dismantles cybercrime operation
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration has charged a Russian oligarch with violating U.S. government sanctions and has disrupted a cybercrime operation launched by a Russian military intelligence agency, officials said Wednesday.
The action came as the Justice Department said it was accelerating efforts to track down illicit Russian assets and as U.S. prosecutors helped European counterparts gather evidence on potential war crimes committed by Russia during its war on Ukraine. FBI and Justice Department officials announced the moves as the U.S. separately revealed sanctions against the two adult daughters of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“We have our eyes on every dollar and jet. We have our eyes on every piece of art and real estate, purchased with dirty money and on every bitcoin wallet filled with proceeds of theft, and other crimes,” Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said. “Together with our partners around the world, our goal is to ensure that sanctioned Russian oligarchs and cyber criminals will not find safe haven.”
The indictment against Konstantin Malofeyev, a Russian media baron and founder of Russian Orthodox news channel, Tsargrad TV, is the first of an oligarch since the Russian invasion in February. The case accuses him of evading Treasury Department sanctions resulting from his financing of Russians promoting separatism in Crimea.
Though sanctions bar U.S. citizens from working for or doing business with him, Malofeyev hired an American television producer to work for him in networks in Russia and Greece and tried to buy a television network in Bulgaria, prosecutors said. Jack Hanick, a former CNBC and Fox News employee, was arrested last month for his work as a television producer for Malofeyev.
The Justice Department also announced that it had taken down a botnet — a network of hijacked computers typically used for malicious activity — that was controlled by the Russian military intelligence agency known as the GRU. The botnet was dismantled before it could cause any damage, said FBI Director Christopher Wray.
Wednesday’s announcements came two days after U.S. officials seized a huge yacht in Spain belonging to a Russian oligarch, Viktor Vekselberg, with close ties to Russian President Putin.
The Justice Department in the past year has taken aim against Russia-based cybercrime, recovering in June most of a multimillion-dollar ransom that Colonial Pipeline paid to hackers after a ransomware attack that halted operations. And the department announced charges last fall against two suspected ransomware operators.
WARNING: The following video contains graphic content.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | 1 | 60,818 | 0 | https://www.ky3.com/2022/04/06/us-charges-russian-oligarch-dismantles-cybercrime-operation/ | 2022-04-06 15:15:06+00:00 | US charges Russian oligarch, dismantles cybercrime operation
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration has charged a Russian oligarch with violating U.S. government sanctions and has disrupted a cybercrime operation launched by a Russian military intelligence agency, officials said Wednesday.
The action came as the Justice Department said it was accelerating efforts to track down illicit Russian assets and as U.S. prosecutors helped European counterparts gather evidence on potential war crimes committed by Russia during its war on Ukraine. FBI and Justice Department officials announced the moves as the U.S. separately revealed sanctions against the two adult daughters of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“We have our eyes on every dollar and jet. We have our eyes on every piece of art and real estate, purchased with dirty money and on every bitcoin wallet filled with proceeds of theft, and other crimes,” Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said. “Together with our partners around the world, our goal is to ensure that sanctioned Russian oligarchs and cyber criminals will not find safe haven.”
The indictment against Konstantin Malofeyev, a Russian media baron and founder of Russian Orthodox news channel, Tsargrad TV, is the first of an oligarch since the Russian invasion in February. The case accuses him of evading Treasury Department sanctions resulting from his financing of Russians promoting separatism in Crimea.
Though sanctions bar U.S. citizens from working for or doing business with him, Malofeyev hired an American television producer to work for him in networks in Russia and Greece and tried to buy a television network in Bulgaria, prosecutors said. Jack Hanick, a former CNBC and Fox News employee, was arrested last month for his work as a television producer for Malofeyev.
The Justice Department also announced that it had taken down a botnet — a network of hijacked computers typically used for malicious activity — that was controlled by the Russian military intelligence agency known as the GRU. The botnet was dismantled before it could cause any damage, said FBI Director Christopher Wray.
Wednesday’s announcements came two days after U.S. officials seized a huge yacht in Spain belonging to a Russian oligarch, Viktor Vekselberg, with close ties to Russian President Putin.
The Justice Department in the past year has taken aim against Russia-based cybercrime, recovering in June most of a multimillion-dollar ransom that Colonial Pipeline paid to hackers after a ransomware attack that halted operations. And the department announced charges last fall against two suspected ransomware operators.
WARNING: The following video contains graphic content.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. |
https://www.kttc.com/2022/04/06/us-charges-russian-oligarch-dismantles-cybercrime-operation/ | US charges Russian oligarch, dismantles cybercrime operation
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration has charged a Russian oligarch with violating U.S. government sanctions and has disrupted a cybercrime operation launched by a Russian military intelligence agency, officials said Wednesday.
The action came as the Justice Department said it was accelerating efforts to track down illicit Russian assets and as U.S. prosecutors helped European counterparts gather evidence on potential war crimes committed by Russia during its war on Ukraine. FBI and Justice Department officials announced the moves as the U.S. separately revealed sanctions against the two adult daughters of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“We have our eyes on every dollar and jet. We have our eyes on every piece of art and real estate, purchased with dirty money and on every bitcoin wallet filled with proceeds of theft, and other crimes,” Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said. “Together with our partners around the world, our goal is to ensure that sanctioned Russian oligarchs and cyber criminals will not find safe haven.”
The indictment against Konstantin Malofeyev, a Russian media baron and founder of Russian Orthodox news channel, Tsargrad TV, is the first of an oligarch since the Russian invasion in February. The case accuses him of evading Treasury Department sanctions resulting from his financing of Russians promoting separatism in Crimea.
Though sanctions bar U.S. citizens from working for or doing business with him, Malofeyev hired an American television producer to work for him in networks in Russia and Greece and tried to buy a television network in Bulgaria, prosecutors said. Jack Hanick, a former CNBC and Fox News employee, was arrested last month for his work as a television producer for Malofeyev.
The Justice Department also announced that it had taken down a botnet — a network of hijacked computers typically used for malicious activity — that was controlled by the Russian military intelligence agency known as the GRU. The botnet was dismantled before it could cause any damage, said FBI Director Christopher Wray.
Wednesday’s announcements came two days after U.S. officials seized a huge yacht in Spain belonging to a Russian oligarch, Viktor Vekselberg, with close ties to Russian President Putin.
The Justice Department in the past year has taken aim against Russia-based cybercrime, recovering in June most of a multimillion-dollar ransom that Colonial Pipeline paid to hackers after a ransomware attack that halted operations. And the department announced charges last fall against two suspected ransomware operators.
WARNING: The following video contains graphic content.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | 2 | 61,239 | 0 | https://www.wctv.tv/2022/04/06/us-charges-russian-oligarch-dismantles-cybercrime-operation/ | 2022-04-06 15:16:40+00:00 | US charges Russian oligarch, dismantles cybercrime operation
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration has charged a Russian oligarch with violating U.S. government sanctions and has disrupted a cybercrime operation launched by a Russian military intelligence agency, officials said Wednesday.
The action came as the Justice Department said it was accelerating efforts to track down illicit Russian assets and as U.S. prosecutors helped European counterparts gather evidence on potential war crimes committed by Russia during its war on Ukraine. FBI and Justice Department officials announced the moves as the U.S. separately revealed sanctions against the two adult daughters of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“We have our eyes on every dollar and jet. We have our eyes on every piece of art and real estate, purchased with dirty money and on every bitcoin wallet filled with proceeds of theft, and other crimes,” Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said. “Together with our partners around the world, our goal is to ensure that sanctioned Russian oligarchs and cyber criminals will not find safe haven.”
The indictment against Konstantin Malofeyev, a Russian media baron and founder of Russian Orthodox news channel, Tsargrad TV, is the first of an oligarch since the Russian invasion in February. The case accuses him of evading Treasury Department sanctions resulting from his financing of Russians promoting separatism in Crimea.
Though sanctions bar U.S. citizens from working for or doing business with him, Malofeyev hired an American television producer to work for him in networks in Russia and Greece and tried to buy a television network in Bulgaria, prosecutors said. Jack Hanick, a former CNBC and Fox News employee, was arrested last month for his work as a television producer for Malofeyev.
The Justice Department also announced that it had taken down a botnet — a network of hijacked computers typically used for malicious activity — that was controlled by the Russian military intelligence agency known as the GRU. The botnet was dismantled before it could cause any damage, said FBI Director Christopher Wray.
Wednesday’s announcements came two days after U.S. officials seized a huge yacht in Spain belonging to a Russian oligarch, Viktor Vekselberg, with close ties to Russian President Putin.
The Justice Department in the past year has taken aim against Russia-based cybercrime, recovering in June most of a multimillion-dollar ransom that Colonial Pipeline paid to hackers after a ransomware attack that halted operations. And the department announced charges last fall against two suspected ransomware operators.
WARNING: The following video contains graphic content.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. |
https://www.heraldtimesonline.com/story/news/local/2022/04/06/bloomington-based-heart-cardon-pays-115-000-settlement-lawsuit/9482419002/ | Bloomington-based senior living company pays $115,000 settlement in discrimination lawsuit
Heart of CarDon, a Bloomington-based senior living company that owns Bell Trace in Bloomington and 20 other senior living communities in southern and central Indiana, has agreed to pay $115,000 and make policy changes after an Anderson-area employee accused the company of disability discrimination.
The suit was filed in early 2020 by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in U.S. District Court for the Southern Indiana District of Indiana. The suit alleges a certified nursing assistant was unable to perform essential functions of her job due to lifting restrictions from a work injury. Although there were several jobs she was qualified to perform without violating the lifting restrictions, the company refused to transfer her to one of several such vacant positions, the suit alleged.
The consent degree settling the lawsuit requires Heart of CarDon to pay $115,000 to the former employee. It also requires the company to assign a human resources manager to work with employees who have suffered a disability that keeps them from being able perform their job duties, evaluating transfers to other positions. The company must also train its employees on the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Heart of CarDon is owned by Kathy Headley, David Moore, Dan Moore and Stephen Moore.
Officials with CarDon could not be reached for comment. | 0 | 10,945 | 0.944952 | https://keyt.com/news/2022/06/13/care-network-to-make-changes-after-trans-discrimination-case/ | 2022-06-13 19:30:07+00:00 | Care network to make changes after trans discrimination case
By PATRICK WHITTLE
Associated Press
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A network of adult care facilities in Maine will adopt a nondiscrimination policy about the care of transgender people as part of a settlement with a woman who filed a human rights complaint against the company. Advocates described the agreement as a landmark settlement about elder care for transgender adults. The settlement came three months after Maine’s human rights panel ruled in favor of the woman, 79-year-old Marie King, who complained she was denied a room by an assisted living facility because she is transgender. The human rights commission approved the settlement during its meeting on Monday. |
https://www.heraldtimesonline.com/story/news/local/2022/04/06/bloomington-based-heart-cardon-pays-115-000-settlement-lawsuit/9482419002/ | Bloomington-based senior living company pays $115,000 settlement in discrimination lawsuit
Heart of CarDon, a Bloomington-based senior living company that owns Bell Trace in Bloomington and 20 other senior living communities in southern and central Indiana, has agreed to pay $115,000 and make policy changes after an Anderson-area employee accused the company of disability discrimination.
The suit was filed in early 2020 by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in U.S. District Court for the Southern Indiana District of Indiana. The suit alleges a certified nursing assistant was unable to perform essential functions of her job due to lifting restrictions from a work injury. Although there were several jobs she was qualified to perform without violating the lifting restrictions, the company refused to transfer her to one of several such vacant positions, the suit alleged.
The consent degree settling the lawsuit requires Heart of CarDon to pay $115,000 to the former employee. It also requires the company to assign a human resources manager to work with employees who have suffered a disability that keeps them from being able perform their job duties, evaluating transfers to other positions. The company must also train its employees on the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Heart of CarDon is owned by Kathy Headley, David Moore, Dan Moore and Stephen Moore.
Officials with CarDon could not be reached for comment. | 1 | 70,687 | 0.950634 | https://wtop.com/national/2022/09/eeoc-sues-vermont-nursing-home-over-racial-abuse-claims/ | 2022-09-07 20:31:57+00:00 | BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has sued a Vermont nursing home over allegations that it allowed patients to racially abuse Black staff members.
The lawsuit filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Burlington says the long-term care facility Elderwood at Burlington violated federal law by allowing Black nurses and nurse assistants to be subjected to what the suit describes as ongoing and egregious racial harassment.
The suit says that starting in 2020, certain white residents of Elderwood repeatedly directed offensive racial slurs and physically assaulted Elderwood’s Black nurses and nurse assistants.
“This harassment was especially grotesque, and should have been addressed quickly but was allowed to continue,” Timothy Riera, acting director of the EEOC’s New York District Office, said in a news release. “An employer cannot ignore egregious racial harassment simply because the harassers are long-term care facility residents.”
In a statement emailed to The Associated Press, Elderwood spokesperson Chuck Hayes said the company was aware of the EEOC suit but could not comment on ongoing legal matters.
“We strongly emphasize that Elderwood at Burlington does not tolerate harassment of any kind, and prides itself on promoting a culture of diversity and inclusion,” the statement said. “All reports of inappropriate resident behavior are investigated and addressed. We will vigorously defend our efforts to protect our staff from racial harassment.”
The EEOC lawsuit says the harassment was carried out by a white male resident and female residents. The workers noted the harassment in resident care notes and one employee reported multiple complaints through Elderwood’s employee hotline.
Elderwood managers observed the workers being subjected to the racial harassment, but did not stop it and they attended a meeting in August 2020 where the affected employees complained about the harassment, the suit says.
The suit says unsuccessful efforts were made to move the white male resident to another facility. After the alleged abuse was reported by the Vermont weekly newspaper Seven Days in October 2020, Elderwood officials told state officials they tried to move the white male resident to another facility, but no such transfer occurred.
The EEOC tried to reach an agreement with Elderwood to settle the charges, but was unable to do so, the suit says. The suit is seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages for the affected employees and the prevention of future workplace racial harassment.
Copyright © 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed. |
https://www.heraldtimesonline.com/story/news/local/2022/04/06/bloomington-based-heart-cardon-pays-115-000-settlement-lawsuit/9482419002/ | Bloomington-based senior living company pays $115,000 settlement in discrimination lawsuit
Heart of CarDon, a Bloomington-based senior living company that owns Bell Trace in Bloomington and 20 other senior living communities in southern and central Indiana, has agreed to pay $115,000 and make policy changes after an Anderson-area employee accused the company of disability discrimination.
The suit was filed in early 2020 by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in U.S. District Court for the Southern Indiana District of Indiana. The suit alleges a certified nursing assistant was unable to perform essential functions of her job due to lifting restrictions from a work injury. Although there were several jobs she was qualified to perform without violating the lifting restrictions, the company refused to transfer her to one of several such vacant positions, the suit alleged.
The consent degree settling the lawsuit requires Heart of CarDon to pay $115,000 to the former employee. It also requires the company to assign a human resources manager to work with employees who have suffered a disability that keeps them from being able perform their job duties, evaluating transfers to other positions. The company must also train its employees on the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Heart of CarDon is owned by Kathy Headley, David Moore, Dan Moore and Stephen Moore.
Officials with CarDon could not be reached for comment. | 2 | 64,084 | 0.950758 | https://www.necn.com/news/local/vermont-nursing-home-sued-over-grotesque-racial-abuse-allegations/2819690/ | 2022-09-07 20:05:45+00:00 | The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has sued a Vermont nursing home over allegations that it allowed patients to racially abuse Black staff members.
The lawsuit filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Burlington says the long-term care facility Elderwood at Burlington violated federal law by allowing Black nurses and nurse assistants to be subjected to what the suit describes as ongoing and egregious racial harassment.
The suit says that starting in 2020, certain white residents of Elderwood repeatedly directed offensive racial slurs and physically assaulted Elderwood's Black nurses and nurse assistants.
"This harassment was especially grotesque, and should have been addressed quickly but was allowed to continue," Timothy Riera, acting director of the EEOC's New York District Office, said in a news release. "An employer cannot ignore egregious racial harassment simply because the harassers are long-term care facility residents."
In a statement emailed to The Associated Press, Elderwood spokesperson Chuck Hayes said the company was aware of the EEOC suit but could not comment on ongoing legal matters.
"We strongly emphasize that Elderwood at Burlington does not tolerate harassment of any kind, and prides itself on promoting a culture of diversity and inclusion," the statement said. "All reports of inappropriate resident behavior are investigated and addressed. We will vigorously defend our efforts to protect our staff from racial harassment."
The EEOC lawsuit says the harassment was carried out by a white male resident and female residents. The workers noted the harassment in resident care notes and one employee reported multiple complaints through Elderwood's employee hotline.
Elderwood managers observed the workers being subjected to the racial harassment, but did not stop it and they attended a meeting in August 2020 where the affected employees complained about the harassment, the suit says.
The suit says unsuccessful efforts were made to move the white male resident to another facility. After the alleged abuse was reported by the Vermont weekly newspaper Seven Days in October 2020, Elderwood officials told state officials they tried to move the white male resident to another facility, but no such transfer occurred.
The EEOC tried to reach an agreement with Elderwood to settle the charges, but was unable to do so, the suit says. The suit is seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages for the affected employees and the prevention of future workplace racial harassment. |
https://www.sfchronicle.com/weather/article/TX-WFO-SHREVEPORT-Warnings-Watches-and-17061222.php | WFO SHREVEPORT Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Sunday, April 10, 2022
_____
FLOOD WARNING
Flood Statement
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
943 AM CDT Wed Apr 6 2022
...The Flood Warning is extended for the following bayou in Texas...
Black Cypress Bayou At Jefferson affecting Marion and Cass
Counties.
For the Black Cypress Bayou...including Jefferson...Minor flooding
is forecast.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Do not drive cars through flooded areas.
Caution is urged when walking near riverbanks.
Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive
cars through flooded areas.
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
For more hydrologic information, copy and paste the following website
address into your favorite web browser URL bar:
water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=shv
The next statement will be issued Thursday morning at 1115 AM CDT.
...FLOOD WARNING NOW IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY EVENING TO EARLY SUNDAY
MORNING...
* WHAT...Minor flooding is forecast.
* WHERE...Black Cypress Bayou At Jefferson, Texas.
* WHEN...From Friday evening to early Sunday morning.
* IMPACTS...At 13 feet, Lowland flooding will affect mainly timber
resources.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- At 9:00 AM CDT Wednesday the stage was 9.9 feet.
- Forecast...The bayou is expected to rise to a crest of 13.0
feet Friday evening.
- Flood stage is 13 feet.
- http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
_____
Copyright 2022 AccuWeather | 0 | 59,979 | 0 | https://www.greenwichtime.com/weather/article/TX-WFO-SHREVEPORT-Warnings-Watches-and-17061222.php | 2022-04-06 15:11:16+00:00 | WFO SHREVEPORT Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Sunday, April 10, 2022
_____
FLOOD WARNING
Flood Statement
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
943 AM CDT Wed Apr 6 2022
...The Flood Warning is extended for the following bayou in Texas...
Black Cypress Bayou At Jefferson affecting Marion and Cass
Counties.
For the Black Cypress Bayou...including Jefferson...Minor flooding
is forecast.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Do not drive cars through flooded areas.
Caution is urged when walking near riverbanks.
Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive
cars through flooded areas.
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
For more hydrologic information, copy and paste the following website
address into your favorite web browser URL bar:
water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=shv
The next statement will be issued Thursday morning at 1115 AM CDT.
...FLOOD WARNING NOW IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY EVENING TO EARLY SUNDAY
MORNING...
* WHAT...Minor flooding is forecast.
* WHERE...Black Cypress Bayou At Jefferson, Texas.
* WHEN...From Friday evening to early Sunday morning.
* IMPACTS...At 13 feet, Lowland flooding will affect mainly timber
resources.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- At 9:00 AM CDT Wednesday the stage was 9.9 feet.
- Forecast...The bayou is expected to rise to a crest of 13.0
feet Friday evening.
- Flood stage is 13 feet.
- http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
_____
Copyright 2022 AccuWeather |
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