Category Archives: Sealand

Isabel Tehan| Boston University Statehouse Program

State bill would allow undocumented immigrants to get a driver's licenses

Massachusetts bill would allow undocumented immigrants to obtain a driver's license.

Standard-Times

BOSTON Two months after its formation, the commission investigating the history and harm of the Massachusetts state seal plans to ask for an extension, which would allow them until 2023 to make their recommendations for changes to the seal.

The commission, made up of state legislators, tribal leaders, advocates, and historians, has been slow-moving. Previously given a Dec. 31, 2022 deadline, the group said they hoped to have recommendations by June.

Now, two months since their work began, the commission remains unclear even on the nature of the recommendations they have been tasked with making, and unanimously voted that they need more time. Determining how much of a change to recommend is still a top consideration, and the commission has reached no conclusion.

Since February, the commission has divided itself into subcommittees, one to examine the Histories and Usage of the seal, and the other for Public Consultation. Conceived of in the 1790s, the seal currently depicts an Indigenous man standing below a sword-wielding colonists arm.

The commission has a lingering point of confusion: is it an entire rework or tweaking of elements they are recommending, asked Michael Comeau, co-vice chair of the Massachusetts Archives, at a meeting Tuesday. This is a question he and the histories and usage subcommittee will continue to tackle, aiming to answer this for the broader commission by June.

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The subcommittee is seeking out more Indigenous perspectives, and in their last meetings were slowed by differing opinions.

We didnt come to any great conclusions, Comeau reported to the commission at large. They continue to wrestle with intent, he said, as the historical record detailing the creation of the seal is lacking.

Cheryl Andrews-Maltais, chairwoman of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head Aquinnah, asserted that historical intent is less important than the path forward. The focus, she said, should be on creating imagery that the constituents of the commonwealth can feel proud of.

When to consult the public also remains a question. It is imperative to include public opinion in the decision-making process, the commission agrees.

This is a change that can affect everyone in this commonwealth,'' said Brian Boyles, executive director of the Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities, and co-chair of the commission.

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He summarized the public consultation subcommittees discussions, which included identifying groups to consult. For now, the list includes educators and libraries throughout the state.

Comprehensive public inclusion is a priority, said Comeau, who is acting as the designee for Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin. The whole process needs to be as transparent as possible.

General public feedback will come once the bill, including the commissions recommendations, is eventually filed, said Rep. Antonio Cabral, D, New Bedford, who is the only member of the House of Representatives on the commission. For the groups recommendations to be accepted, there is need for support in the Legislature and from the general public, he said.

We have to be realistic about the legislative process.

What the commission will recommend, when, and how the public will respond, will not be determined for months. All that is certain now is that this group unanimously agrees they need an extension.

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Commission to request extension to deliver recommendations on the Massachusetts state seal - SouthCoastToday.com

Deeside.com > News

Posted: Thu 28th Apr 2022

Updated: Thu 28th Apr

Jobseekers from across Flintshire have the chance to speak directly to some of the countys biggest and most innovative employers today.

Around 60 organisations are taking part in the Flintshire Jobs and Careers Fair taking place today, April 28 at Deeside Leisure Centre.

The jobs fair is organised by Communities For Work Flintshire, Jobcentre Plus and Careers Wales following a three-year absence is a free event taking place between 10am to 2pm.

Aimed at all ages and career stages, the event will feature both current job vacancies and opportunities to develop longer-term careers in key industries including hospitality to professional services, healthcare and public sector roles.

Paul Murphy from Jobcentre Plus said: In previous years over 800 people have attended and the event was supported by numerous employers with over 500 vacancies available in a variety of sectors.

There will also be practical advice on hand including a CV checkpoint area and help to write application forms from Careers Wales.

Companies and organisations taking part:

Tata Steel

KK Fine Foods

Ralawise

2 Sisters Food Group

Morrisons Manufacturing

Moneypenny

Newydd Catering & Cleaning

Aura Leisure

New Directions

McDonaldsBroughton

Flintshire County Council Childrens Residential Services

Flintshire County Council Adult Social Services

Oscar Meyer

The Armed Forces

Gap Personnel

Enbarr Enterprises

Great Bear Logistics/Logistics People

Clwyd Alyn

Parallel Security

Flintshire County Council HR

Acorn Recruitment

Flintshire County Council Direct Payments

CER Education

Networld Sports

Group 4 Security

Arriva Buses

Tents & Events

Recruit 4 Staff

Rhino Products

Smart Solutions

Mencap

Action For Children

The Wallich

Adecco

Marie Curie

Compass Group

PSS Shared Lives

Pacey Cymru

Educate Group

North WalesPolice

Carden Park

Castell Ventures

Clear Data

Mecure Chester Abbots Well Hotel

Careers Wales

Stamford Gate Hotel

Sealand Windows

Swift Temps

Communities For Work Plus

Randstad Recruitment

Home Instead

Stagecoach Bus

GXO

DECA

Steel 4 Structures

Thorncliffe

Excell Supply

P&A Group

Fibrax

Spotted something? Got a story? Send a Facebook Message | A direct message on Twitter | Email: News@Deeside.com

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Deeside jobs fair brings together over 60 local companies and organisations - Deeside.com

A woman slammed Ryanair after her seats were allocated to someone else even though they had been paid for.

Sue Graham went on holiday in Benidorm with husband Eric, from whom she is separated, and step-daughter Sophie, 22. The problems began as they were about to embark on their return flight to Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

Sue, 68, said: "On getting to Alicante airport for our flight home we were told by the Ryanair attendant our seats had been cancelled and it would cost us another 30 Euros each to get on the flight we had already paid for.

"When I told the attendant we had no money I was told, 'It's not my problem,' either pay a further 30 Euros each or sort yourself out.

READ MORE:Mum moving house after autistic son's face 'smashed in' at school

"I suffer with depression and anxiety so can you imagine my state of mind thinking we were going to be abandoned at the airport."

Sue said they only managed to secure their seats after husband Eric used money earmarked to pay his Sky bill to cough up the cash demanded by Ryanair. But Ryanair said the problem was because Sue had booked with On the Beach travel company rather than directly with the airline.

She added: "I'm disgusted. I have been informed of this happening to other travellers due to the airline over selling seats. If someone gets there before you. they will sell them your seats."

Sue, from Dingle, also claimed her husband was charged another 46 Euros after his hand luggage - which he had taken with him on the flight out without a problem - was turned back at the boarding gate and he had to pay for it to go in hold, or else leave it behind.

A spokesperson for Ryanair said: "This is a prime example of the issues faced when customers book flights through OTAs (online travel agents) and not directly with the airline.

"Ryanair did not cancel the seats in Ms. Grahams booking. Ms. Graham was charged a standard airport check-in fee of 90 (30 per passenger) as she failed to check-in online two hours prior to the scheduled departure time. Ryanair urges customers to always book directly, as OTAs may provide Ryanair with incorrect email addresses, contact & payment details, which block Ryanair from communicating directly with the customer to share essential flight information and updates, including check-in prompts, potential departure time changes, delays, cancellations, and refund updates.

"To protect our customers, Ryanair has developed the Verified Seal and Price Checker to guarantee customers that they are booking directly with Ryanair. However, to avoid unnecessary complications, Ryanair advises customers to always book directly on the official Ryanair website/app.

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Ryanair forces family to 'pay for seats they've already bought' - Liverpool Echo

Yellowstone star Luke Grimes has a lot of faith in creator Taylor Sheridan and its been that way for years. The actor says that hearing Sheridans name during a phone call was all it took to get him interested in the neo-western before he read the pilot script. Now that hes played the role of Kayce Dutton for four seasons, Grimes is fully confident that Sheridan knows the right time for the series to end.

Grimes plays Kayce on Yellowstone, the prodigal son of Kevin Costners John Dutton. Kayce is a former Navy SEAL and a seasoned horseman whos now serving as Montanas livestock commissioner. But in the first four seasons, Kayce has been torn between the family he came from and the family he created.

On one hand, hes loyal to his fathers Yellowstone Ranch and is compelled to protect it against all enemies. On the other hand, that Dutton loyalty has put his wife Monica (Kelsey Asbille) and his son Tate (Brecken Merrill) in danger. And neither mother nor son wants anything to do with the toxic Duttons and the fight for their land.

This conflict led Kayce to a vision quest in the season 4 finale. And Grimes says that fans will finally see his character make a choice.

Kayces vision quest at the end of season four could possibly be a sign that things are going to have to change, Grimes told The Hollywood Reporter. I know hes central to how the story unfolds, as a lot of characters in the show are. So I really cant wait to see how instrumental he is in bringing this thing to a close one day,

After talking to Sheridan and hearing first hand about how many seasons Yellowstone would likely have, Grimes thought he knew how much life was left in the series. But that was before it became the biggest show on the planet.

When something becomes this big, I know theres a lot of pressure to keep it going. But I do know that Taylor would never let it go past its due date, Grimes revealed.

The actor says he never expected Yellowstone to become as huge as it is. But, he knew there was a built-in audience thanks to Costner and fans who already loved westerns. Grimes says viewership has skyrocketed in recent seasons thanks to Sheridan because he has a way of writing things that sort of hit home.

Theres something for everybody in a show like Yellowstone, even if westerns arent your thing, Grimes noted.

Grimes noted that Kayces storyline from day one has been him stuck in the middle between his father and his own nuclear family.

Theres the Reservation and Yellowstone, and how theyve always clashed with each other. So yeah, ultimately, thats where we all want to see this story go, but I have no idea where its going, Grimes confessed. He has the vision of the woman who tells him he needs to choose a path, and so you get the sense that maybe some kind of change is coming.

As for Kayces final line of season 4 I saw the end of us Grimes says Sheridan told him just enough about what those two paths looked like and about that statement so he could do the scene.

It wasnt enough that I know whats going to happen or where he goes from here, but it was enough that I could say that line and have an idea of what I was talking about, Grimes said.

Yellowstone season 5 will premiere this summer on the Paramount Network.

RELATED: Yellowstone: Kayce Duttons Season 4 Visions Explained and What It Could Mean For Season 5

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Luke Grimes on the End of 'Yellowstone': Taylor Sheridan 'Would Never Let It Go Past Its Due Date' - Showbiz Cheat Sheet

The Chancellor is going to consider proposals to create a new bank holiday in honour of the Queen. Britons are already set for an extra day off on June 3, 2022 to mark the monarchs Platinum Jubilee.

But campaigners have been calling to make the holiday permanent from 2023 with the move backed by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), Hospitality UK, the Archbishop of Canterbury and others. The Telegraph and The Express said the idea had now won the support of Rishi Sunak, as well as Prime Minister Boris Johnson, but it is understood that Mr Sunak is yet to consider the proposals although he intends to.

The new "thank holiday" would recognise the Queens extraordinary service, as well as peoples efforts to support their communities, especially over the last two years. The Telegraph reported that Mr Sunak had asked the Treasury for formal advice on the suggestion.

The newspaper also said Downing Street had asked the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) to carry out a review of the matter. It cited a source as saying: The Treasury is not saying no off the bat despite previously being institutionally allergic to the idea of a new bank holiday.

Rishi is supportive of the campaign and the thought behind it. He has asked for all the projected costs.

For more stories from where you live, visit InYourArea

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Permanent 'thank holiday' could be added to the calendar - Derbyshire Live

Here are the events coming up over the next few days and weeks across our area:

- Rhianna Rae will be singing at Long Sutton Royal British Legion on Saturday, April 30. Event starts at 8.30pm.

- Doningtons 90s Night at Donington Community Centre. Saturday, April 30, 7:30pm until late. Fancy dress optional. Contact Narelle on 07950 275543 for tickets which are 10.

-Pop Up Pub at Cowbit Village Hall, Saturday April 30. From 7:30pm until late. Family friendly evening with all drinks 1 or less.

- Messy Church at St Marys Church, Cowbit, Saturday, April 30 between 4pm and 6pm. Craft activities, child friendly worship and supper. All children must be accompanied an adult.

- Patrick Monahan: Started at the Bottom, Now Im Here at South Holland Centre. Thursday, May 5 at 8pm.

- An audience with Wayne Sleep at the South Holland Centre. Friday, May 6 at 7:30pm.

- Car Boot Sale at St. Bartholomewss Primary School, West Pinchbeck, Saturday, May 7. Doors at 10am, sellers arrival at 9am. Cars 7, non sellers 50p. Email enquiries@stbartholomews.lincs.sch.uk to book a pitch.

- Bingo at Cowbit Village Hall, Friday May 13. Doors at 6:30pm and eyes down at 7:30pm. 5 for 12 games. Contact Darren Harper on 07903 209126.

- Fleetwood Machine at South Holland Centre, Saturday May 14. Show starts at 7:30pm.

- Daphnes Flight performing at South Holland Centre, Wednesday May 18 at 7:30pm.

- The Wash 2022 Seal and Birdwatching Cruises with RSPB South Lincs on the Boston Belle are taking place throughout the year. Upcoming dates are, Thursday, May 12 departing at 1pm, Thursday May 26 departing at 1pm, Thursday, June 9 departing at 11am, Thursday, June 23 departing at 11:30am, Friday. Cruises set off from Boston Marina and last around four and a half to five hours.Tickets for RSPB members are 20 for adults and 10 for children. Non members tickets are 22.50 for adults and 11.50 for children. Tickets are available from http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/blackfriars or via 01205 363108.

- Spalding Gentlemens Society is open every Wednesday from 11am - 1pm.

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Area events include a pop-up pub, comedy shows and live music - Spalding Today

A special commission charged with reviewing and possibly revamping Massachusetts official state seal and motto decided Tuesday to request a third extension to finish that job.

The commission is now asking the Legislature for a deadline of March 31, 2023 to complete its work. The legislation that created the commission originally established a deadline of October 1, 2021 for the body to issue its findings.

We dont want to have any more extensions unnecessarily, and I think theres a lot of people out there waiting to give feedback, said Brian Boyles, the commissions co-chair and the executive director of Mass Humanities. Were going to get the ball rolling now, I think, with this revised timeline.

The current iteration of the seal, which dates back to 1898, depicts a Native American holding a bow and arrow and standing beneath a disembodied arm, thought to represent the colonial military leader Myles Standish, which holds a sword as if poised to strike. The accompanying Latin motto, Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem, is often translated as, By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty.

Dissatisfaction with the seal among Native American advocates and others dates back decades. Byron Rushing, a former state Representative from Boston, pushed to change the seal for years, but told the New York Times in 2019 that allies had been tough to find.

Heres a state that had gay rights, gay marriage and kept voting against the death penalty, Rushing said at the time. But when you talked about changing the flag, people went bananas.

Recently, though, the idea has gained ground on Beacon Hill, and the Legislature moved to create the current commission as the 2020-21 legislative session ended.

Some heraldry experts argue that, because the current design synthesizes elements from previous versions of the seal, it should not be interpreted as threatening or celebrating violence against Native Americans. But commission member Michael Comeau, the executive director of the Massachusetts Archives, said Tuesday that the record is ambiguous when it comes to the designs intent.

What was the intent of the original design? The historical record isnt overly detailed in that explanation, he said.

Commissioner Cheryl Andrews-Maltais, the chairwoman of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), said that, in the end, the intent behind the existing imagery doesnt really matter.

What I really dont want to have us do is spend a lot of time in dissecting what [the intent] was, Andrews-Maltais said. I dont believe that anything back then when it was designed was really designed with an intent to cause harm.

Cant change history, she added. It is what it is. All we can do is revisit and illuminate what those impacts and implications have been, and figure out how we can move forward.

While the commission was established over a year ago, there was palpable uncertainty at Tuesdays meeting about whether the end goal is to modify the existing seal or create an entirely new one.

Is this a clean-slate rework, completely, or is it a partial? commissioner Jim Wallace asked. Because thats going to determine, really, how the entire commission moves forward. So I think the sooner we get an answer to that as a whole, the better.

Whats the path moving forward? Comeau asked. Whats the ultimate objective? Ive never really been entirely clear on that myself.

Boyles, the commissions co-chair, urged the bodys three subcommittees to grapple with that question between now and the next full committee meeting in June.

Some commission members worried Tuesday that the slow pace of deliberations could end up imperiling their mission.

I dont want to make this go for so long [that] it loses its momentum, because its been such a long time coming, said commissioner Brittney Walley, who is a member of the Nipmuc Nation.

Comeau echoed that concern.

I think there is an actual risk to extending things too far, he said. I mean, we keep kicking the can down the road, at some point we just appear as sort of meandering and indecisive. You keep pushing it off and pushing it off, and eventually, it just dies under its own weight.

Continue reading here:

Commission to review Mass. state seal and motto struggling to get the job done - GBH News

Just before Easter, on Friday 8 April, the Stre government presented Whitepaper #10; Prioritized Changes, Status and Measures in the Defense Sector, which is now to be processed by the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defense.

In order to a.o. increase the national defense capacity in the High North, the government upgrades the activities of sea forces, land forces, and intelligence in the North, as well as the Defenses capacity to receive and support allied forces, primarily in the North.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has major consequences for Norwegian security. Russia has significant security interests in the North. That affects Norway and NATO. Maintaining influence in our immediate areas will require more from Norway in the future said then-Defense Minister Odd Roger Enoksen (Centre Party) at the presentation of the whitepaper, according to a MoD press release.

The whitepaper describes overall security policy changes in light of the Russian attack on Ukraine and what consequences these will have for the governments priorities in the shorter as well as longer term.

The whitepaper also reports on the current status of the realization of the long-term plan for the Armed Forces (2021-2024), which states that the situation is now not as it should be due to delays, cost overruns, and competence challenges.

Following up on this, the government wants to consolidate and re-prioritize in order for the Armed Forces to subsequently grow and be strengthened.

On 1 April, the government announced that it proposes a NOK 3 billion strengthening of the defense sector in 2022, and pointed to immediate measures to increase the Armed Forces presence in the North.

These measures, now described in the whitepaper, are to be processed in the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs as part of a larger budget proposal about economic measures following from the war in Ukraine. The Committee is to present its position on 28 April.

More extensively, the government presents the following measures for the North in the whitepaper:

A whitepaper is a report from the government to the Parliament (Stortinget) about issues the government wants the MPs to discuss.

The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defenses work on the new defense whitepaper will end up with a proposal including a.o. the Committees remarks and recommendations. This proposal is then to be processed by the Storting.

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New Norwegian Whitepaper on Defense: The Government Increases Sea, Land, and Intelligence Activity in the North - High North News

Saturday, the Gulf Coast got together to celebrate the real-life superheroes keeping a watchful eye over the lower six counties.

The Superhero 5k in Bay St. Louis honored Lt. Michael Boutte and lineman Cayce Seal and was also a show of support for both professional and nonprofessional heroes and caregivers.

Runners wore their super hero outfits, but that was only the start of the festivities. Visitors got their fill of crawfish, drinks, and live music until the evening. Mississippi Heroes Director Katherine Sutton said, So this was actually our official first year. So, i think people came out to celebrate Michael Boutte and Cayce Seal. And then we had some nurses that came out to celebrate professional caregivers, and we had some family caregivers that came out. Its an event we want to keep growing and just to support and to share some love and appreciation for those in the community that do so much for others.

The Coast still mourns the passing of Lt. Boutte, who was shot last year in the line of duty, and Seal, who died in a work accident last year.

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Heroes celebrated with 5K and Fun Run in Bay St. Louis - WXXV News 25

Children threw stones at a seal and a woman grabbed it by its tail on a beach in the north east of England. The seal had to be moved to allow it to rest, a swimmer who witnessed the incidents said.

Donna had just been for a swim at Hornsea, close to Hull, on Monday and saw the seal in the water. She said it then went on to the shore for a rest but then a group of children began harassing it, reports HullLive.

She said: I was absolutely shocked to see that as it came to shore some children around 12 years old started throwing stones at it. They were told off but then a woman came marching up and grabbed the seal by its tail with the aim of flinging it back in the sea.

The seal went for this lady. All it wanted to do was rest, but everyone wanted a close-up picture and were surrounding it and it wasn't able to rest and it was getting very distressed.

British Divers Marine Life Rescue were called so they could take it away to allow it to rest properly and when it was ready it would re-enter the sea. What is wrong with people?

"If you see a seal leave it alone, don't touch it, don't let your dogs go near and most definitely do not throw stones at it. It should have been able to rest there on its own accord but unfortunately it was at risk of idiots.

There have been concerns raised regularly about the welfare of seals in the area. The Yorkshire Seal Group has raised the issue on its media channels frequently.

Coastguard teams have also urged people not to distress seals resting on the East Yorkshire coastline. Hull Coastguard Team has posted a warning on Facebook.

It says there has been an increase in the number of seals on beaches along the east coast which has led to a huge volume of calls to HM Coastguard. People have been mistakenly thinking the animals might be injured or they've 'stranded' when in fact they are simply resting.

Steve Cox, from HM Coastguard, said: "If someone sees an injured seal they can call us and we will call BDMLR (British Divers Marine Life Rescue), although of course, people can call BDMLR directly if they think an animal is hurt. However, weve been receiving a huge volume of calls over the past few days about seals on beaches which have turned out not to be injured.

"Seals often haul out onto land to rest and recharge and aren't necessarily there because they are hurt and if you approach them they can respond aggressively.

Please think before calling 999 and asking for the Coastguard about a seal that just happens to be on a beach, unless you really think its hurt as it could take up time that we need to deal with real emergencies.

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Anger as children throw stones at seal and woman grabs it by its tail - Wales Online