Category Archives: Sealand

Great white shark populations are increasing, say researchers. And that's very good for our oceans.

This morning just before 6 a.m. Eastern Time, a 13-foot adult male great white shark named Breton was detected off the southern tip of New Jersey near Delaware Bay. Weighing in at over 1,400 pounds, Breton was last detected five days ago off the coast of North Carolina and has traveled over 100 miles in the past three days. Last night, just before 11 p.m. ET, a 6-foot-7-inch juvenile great white named Monomoy turned up in the northern reaches of the Gulf of Maine. And not even a half hour earlier, a 9-foot-8-inch sub-adult great white named Cabot was swimming miles off Cape Cod, Massachusetts. These are just three of the roughly 70 sharks currently being tracked via small electronic transmitters by OCEARCH, a research organization that collects and shares real-time data through its popular shark-tracking app.

A recent uptick in shark encounters is not a figment of an overactive imagination. Sightings of great white sharks as well as biting incidents have been making headlines on both U.S. coasts recently. Two weeks ago, a popular beach on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, was temporarily closed to swimmers after a beachgoer shot a video of a great white shark coming within just a few yards of shore to hunt and devour a seal. And on the west coast, a white shark bit a man in the leg as he swam off Grey Whale Cove State Beach, about 18 miles south of San Francisco, and another bit a 15-year-old Boy Scout while he kayaked off Catalina Island in Southern California.

This is summertime, and this is when people get bitten, says Bob Hueter, chief scientist at OCEARCH. The first thing to remember is that the ocean is a wild place. Its only logical that there are more shark encounters when people flock to oceans, he says, just as you would expect more bear encounters when summer attendance rises at national parks.

Yet when white sharks bite humans, insist researchers, its virtually always a case of mistaken identity. The typical scenario there is that a surfer or swimmer is bitten by a great white shark thats immature, thats a juvenile. These are small white sharks, maybe about six feet long, says Hueter. Those animals still have not learned whats suitable, and they will bite and release.

Statistically, human encounters with sharks are incredibly rare. Recognize that you face much greater risks you when you go swimming in the ocean from things like undertows and rip currents and lightning, which kill more people than sharks ever do, says Hueter. And its not a close call. Beachgoers are more than 100 times more likely to drown at the beach than be killed by a shark, according to statistics kept by the University of Floridas International Shark Attack Files.

So why is the publics fear of sharks so out of whack with the actual threat? We tend to fixate on these low-probability events, says Greg Skomal, a senior fisheries biologist at theMassachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries whose research has featured on theDiscovery Channels Shark Weekspecials. I always ask folks to think of risk in the context of whats real and whats probable.

Skomal, who has been studying great white sharks in the waters off Cape Cod, Massachusetts, for more than 30 years, notes that while estimating the great white shark population is notoriously difficult, it appears that more of these big fish are living in our oceans today than in recent decades. These are highly migratory animals covering a very broad area, he says. The white shark population appeared to decline in the 70s, the 80s, into the 90s. And then, thanks to protections put in place in the late 90s, it appears to be recovering.

Skomals research is used by the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy, whose Sharktivity app tracks great white sharks tagged off of Cape Cod. Tagging and tracking sharks helps researchers understand how and when sharks feed, reproduce and migrate, which in turn is crucial to learning how humans and sharks can co-exist.

What youre looking for is patterns, says Skomal, who is working toward one day being able to create a probability map of where great white sharks are most likely to appear by analyzing how patterns of environmental conditions time of day, turbidity of the water, water temperature, and other various weather conditions correlate with shark sightings.

If you can establish those statistical relationships, that allows you to forecast moving forward, says Skomal. So, youll be able to say that, given the conditions of today, the likelihood of a white shark being in this area during this these times is quite high. And you can actually put a number to that in terms of probability. Thats the goal.

In the meantime, Skomal hopes people wont let galeophobia an irrational fear of sharks ruin a trip to the beach. People are just inherently afraid of sharks but the first thing people should realize is that the risk of shark bites is not the same everywhere you go.

Common-sense risk assessment includes knowing what kind of sharks, if any, are known to swim nearby. I always think that it's important to educate yourself as to what species might be in the area, says Skomal. But if theres no documented shark attack in an area, the real-world probability of being bitten is extremely low.

The simplest way to avoid shark encounters, say researchers, is to stay out of the food chain. That requires being mindful of natural surroundings to minimize the chance that a shark might confuse you with prey. For example, if you see seabirds diving, it could be a sign that there is a large school of fish in the area, which in turn can attract sharks. If you see fish jumping, it could also be a sign that a shark is in the area. Likewise, say experts, dont swim or surf near fishing areas and piers, since bait or a struggling fish can attract sharks.

Most of all, steer clear of one of the great whites all-time favorite snacks. If youre foolish enough to go swimming among a group of seals frolicking in the shallows, then youre putting yourself at risk, says Hueter. Theres no question about that.

Thats because sharks are both opportunistic and highly capable of learning, says Skomal. If you're coming to New England as a big white shark, youre quickly going to learn that New England has a summertime when you have access to a really robust food source in seals. And while seals spend most of their time on land, they eventually need to head into the water to feed. Once a great white locks in on its prey, it will be ruthlessly single-focused, says Hueter. It will try to pin a seal down and go right up on the beach if it has to.

If youre concerned about sharks, stay shallow, don't go too far from shore and don't swim alone, advises Skomal. Those are also the top shark-avoiding tips from the University of Florida, which notes that sharks most often bite lone individuals.

Other tips include removing shiny jewelry before entering the water. The reflected light looks like shining fish scales, says the University of Floridas tip sheet.

Shark advisories are common on Cape Cod beaches. (Photo by John Greim)

Researchers hope that their work will help educate the public about the critical role sharks play in keeping oceans healthy and balanced.

Remember, sharks are not the interlopers. Were the interlopers, says Hueter. We should celebrate the fact that these sharks are coming back. This is a very good thing.

Read more from the original source:

Great White Sightings Are Up But You Can Avoid A Shark Attack With Common Sense, Say Experts - Forbes

THREE friends who set themselves the gruelling challenge of running 48 miles in 48 hours around their County Durham hometown set off on their first of 12 runs this morning.

The trio will together run four miles, every four hours, for 48 hours, around the streets of Sedgefield in what will be a punishing test of their stamina, strength and endurance, both physically and mentally.

Catherine Sutcliffe, Jo Bowman and Kate Stanley are running to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer, in memory of Kates father David Bowman who died of the so-called Silent Killer ten years ago at 67-years-old.

The womens challenge has garnered the support of their childrens two local schools, with teachers from Wynyard Church of England Primary School and Sedgefield Primary School set to join them on one of the runs.

Year three pupils, including Kates son James, will also get involved.

Jo, from St Edmunds Manor, Sedgefield, said: The support has been incredible, with teachers and friends wanting to join us on some of the runs, and donations from people who have been affected by pancreatic cancer in their own lives.

Some 10,300 people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer every year; 28 new cases each day. It is known as the silent killer because it is extremely hard to spot, meaning 80 percent of cases are diagnosed at a late stage, when the cancer is too advanced to treat successfully.

Kates father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in January 2011 and died just four weeks later in the February.

No sooner had the hospital doctor uttered the words, than it started to show its true colours. With ferocious speed, it took every ounce of his strength and ravaged his body, said the mother-of-four from Church View, Sedgefield.

Within 14 days, he was bedbound; within 20, he couldnt eat; on day 28, he died in my mothers arms early one morning while I lay in the bed next door and wept. He was robbed of his golden years of retirement and grandchildren.

She said research into the disease has been underfunded for decades, receiving only three per cent of the UK cancer research budget.

Funding is paramount to support research into early diagnostic tools, so that those who face pancreatic cancer in the future have a chance against this deadly disease, said Kate, 40.

The three women, who will run 12 four-mile runs, finishing with their final run at 5am on Friday, have already raised more than 2,700 for Pancreatic Cancer UK.

The gruelling 4x4x48 challenge was inspired by ex-Navy Seal and ultramarathon runner David Goggins and aims to push challengers to the limits by running around the clock with little chance of rest and recovery.

Catherine, from the Meadows, Sedgefield, said: It wouldnt be a challenge worth doing if it didnt push us to the max.

"We have trained hard over the past few months, clocking up hundreds of miles in our legs, but Id be lying if I said we werent nervous.

To support the women and donate visit justgiving.com/48in48forCancer and follow 48 in 48 for Cancer on Instagram and Facebook.

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated County Durham Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054

Continued here:

County Durham women on 4x4x48 run to beat pancreatic cancer - The Northern Echo

We discuss Indias trade exposure to Iran and prospects for an import-export rebound in light of US-Iran detente, full operations of Chabahar port, and the changing situation in Afghanistan. A new bilateral preferential trade treaty has also gone through several rounds of negotiations, and would boost India-Iran trade flows, diversify the trade basket beyond energy assets, and bolster regional commercial linkages and investments in connectivity infrastructure.

Irans vast untapped hydrocarbon reserves and Indias ever-growing energy consumption form the basis of India-Iran economic cooperation. However, the two countries are also invested in strengthening their regional connectivity infrastructure to bolster trade and commerce.

With the changing situation in Afghanistan, India and Iran find themselves at an opportune moment to explore the convergence of their mutual interests.

Irans geographical location offers India a gateway to Afghanistan and Central Asia through the India-invested Chabahar Port as well as access to global markets in Europe and Russia via the International North-South Transportation Corridor (INSTC). These infrastructural linkages hold key to expanding trade and investment prospects in the region, including between India and Iran.

India-Iran bilateral trade registered 23.7 percent growth in the financial year 2018-19 (FY19), peaking at US$17.03 billion with mineral oil and fuel claiming the lions share in Indian imports, accounting for US$12.3 billion. However, this trend has reversed since May 2019, following the lapse of the oil sanction waiver granted to India by the US. In FY20, bilateral trade stood at US$4.77 billion.

This extended period of no crude oil sale from Iran to India led to the depletion of rupee reserves in UCO bank and IDBI bank, the only two legal lenders facilitating rupee trade with Iran, thereby further reducing the volume of exports from India to Iran. Indias overall exports to Iranfell by 42 percent in 2020from 2019 to US$2.2 billion, thelowest in over a decade. Thefall is continuing in 2021,and in January this year, exports more than halved from a year ago, to reachUS$100.20 million. Exporters are apprehensive due to depleting rupee reserves and the consequent delay in payments.

However, with a change in US leadership, prospects for economic engagement with Iran look promising. The new Biden administration is expected to follow a pragmatic approach towards Iran and the possibility of easing US sanctions is not all that far off. The US stance of negotiating its re-entry into the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which was abandoned by the Trump administration in 2018, reflects Bidens facilitative, outward looking approach moves away from Trumps protectionist, inward looking approach.

India stands to benefit from this new approach, as India is Irans second largest trade partner for oil, after China. Deeper economic engagement with Iran is crucial for Indias energy security. In fact, as per reporting in Reuters, India hopes the thaw in US-Iran relations will enable it to move forward on US$500 million worth investments.

On July 8, Indias External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar travelled to Tehran to call on the Iranian President-elect Ebrahim Raisi, a month before he assumed office. The visit was made enroute Jaishankars visit to Moscow for bilateral talks between July 7-9. Just last weekend, Tehran invited India to Raisis official swearing-in ceremony on August 5.

Negotiations for an India-Iran bilateral Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) are ongoing (five rounds have already been held as of June 2021), with a focus on diversifying the bilateral trade basket to include manufacturing, services, and light engineering items. The PTA, which is expected to materialize soon, will allow the two countries to cut tariffs on each others products. Since Iran is not a World Trade Organization (WTO) signatory, there is no obligation to keep the tariff rates within a specific threshold as prescribed by the WTO.

Major Indian exports to Iran include semi/wholly milled rice, black tea, fertilizers, organic/inorganic/agro chemicals, machinery and instruments, metals, primary and semi-finished iron and steel, pharmaceutical and fine chemicals, processed minerals, polyester yarn and woven fabrics, and rubber manufactured products.

India caters to more than one-third of Irans demand for sugar and rice. Iran imported around 700,000 tons of basmati rice from India during the first quarter of 2020. Other agricultural exports to Iran include barley, sesamum seeds, cane sugar, and oil cake etc. In FY19, Indias export basket to Iran was valued at US$3.5 billion and in the first 10 months of FY20, this value stood at US$2.8 billion.

Other potential items that can enhance Indian exports to Iran are machinery and instruments, electrical, electronic equipment, vehicles other than railway, tramway, plastics and plastic articles, optical, photo and technical apparatus, pharmaceutical products, animal vegetable fats and oil, ceramic products and pearls, and precious stones.

Major Indian imports from Iran include crude oil, inorganic/organic chemicals, fertilizers, plastic and articles, glass and glassware, natural or cultured pearls, precious or semiprecious stones, leather, etc. Agricultural imports from Iran comprise of almonds, pistachios, dates, and saffron, etc. In FY19, imports from Iran amounted to US$13.5 billion. In the first 10 months of FY20 (April 2019-January 2020), this value dropped to US$1.35 billion. The main reason for this drastic fall was no import of crude oil from Iran since May 2019.

In the period between June 1990 to March 2021, the cumulative Indian foreign direct investment (FDI) in Iran stood at US$5,750.20 million. Large Indian companies, such as ESSAR, OVL, and Tata Steel, etc., have a presence in Iran. (Comparatively, Iranian cumulative FDI into India from 1997 to 2019 stood at just US$905.62 million.)

Irans vast gas, oil, and hydrocarbon reserves as well as its strategic location makes it an attractive destination for India.

The recent US$400 billion deal between Iran and China to develop Irans infrastructure and energy in lieu of continual and discounted oil supply to China irked India and may incentivize New Delhi to be more aggressive in its pursuit of trade and commerce relations with Tehran.

Pure rhetoric will not stand for much in the region, and businesses should pay attention to the presence of new regional stakeholders with the departure of US-led NATO in Afghanistan. China is expected to join Russia as a security provider, but India could further its economic and developmental goals through reinforcing infrastructure and easing trade flows via tariff and non-tariff relaxations. This makes sense in light of New Delhis own reservations on the Belt and Road Initiative and Pakistan (CPEC) versus desire to improve the scope of India-Iran economic and trade cooperation.

This is why India has heavily invested in the Chabahar port of Iran, which will provide it with sea-land access to Afghanistan and Central Asia through Iran, bypassing Pakistan. This investment is key to Indias strategic ambitions in the region, be it accessing the rich mineral reservoirs of Central Asia or accessing the tactically important Afghanistan in asserting Indias role in the security and development of the region.

Recently, India also proposed for the inclusion of Chabahar port in the multimodal INSTC project. Proposed by India, Russia, and Iran in 2000, the INSTC now enjoys the support of 10 other Central Asian countries. It envisions a 7,200 km-long multi-mode network of ship, rail, and road for freight transport, aiming to cut carriage costs by about 30 percent and transit time from 40 days to about 20 days.

India has been developing two terminals at the Chabahar port, including the Shahid Beheshti complex. Under an agreement with Iran, India will run the terminal for 10 years. Back in December 2018, an Indian company, India Ports Global Limited (IPGL), took over the ports operations.

As of December 2020, the port has handled 1.75 million tons (MT) of bulk cargo and more than 13,000 TEUs of container cargo, as reported by WION media. India has used the port to send 75,000 million tons of wheat to Afghanistan in 2020 as part of humanitarian aid during the pandemic. India has also supplied 20,000 liters of the pesticide Malathion 96 ULV to Iran via the Chabahar port to help the country curb its desert locust outbreak.

Media reports from March quoted Indias ports and shipping minister Mansukh Mandaviya, saying that the port would commence full operations by May. Speaking to Reuters, Mandaviya said that Chabahar port had handled 123 vessels and 1.8 MT of bulk and general cargoes from February 2019 to January 2021. Moreover, India has agreed to provide six cranes and other equipment worth US$85 million to equip and operationalize the Shahid Beheshti terminal.

Finally, India also wants to set up an around 600 km railway line from Chabahar port to Zahedan, which is the provincial capital of Sistan-Baluchestan in Iran and is close to the Afghan border. The undertaking is expected to cost US$1.6 billion.

About Us

India Briefing is produced by Dezan Shira & Associates. The firm assists foreign investors throughout Asia from offices across the world, including in Delhi and Mumbai. Readers may write to india@dezshira.com for more support on doing business in in India.

We also maintain offices or have alliance partners assisting foreign investors in Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Italy, Germany, and the United States, in addition to practices in Bangladesh and Russia.

Go here to read the rest:

Opportunities in India's Trade and Investment with Iran - India Briefing

FAIRFIELD, N.J. (PRWEB) July 14, 2021

Keypoint Intelligence, the worlds leading independent provider of testing services and analytical information to the document imaging industry, today announced its BLI Summer 2021 Pick Award recipients in the A4 category. Awarded twice annually for office equipment, Picks acknowledge the products that gave the best performances in Keypoint Intelligence lab testing in the previous six months.

The BLI Summer 2021 A4 Pick Awards go to the following exceptional devices*:

Canon MAXIFY GX6020/GX7020Outstanding SOHO Color Inkjet All-in-One

Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5100 Wireless All-in-One Supertank Printer SeriesOutstanding Personal Color Inkjet All-in-One

HP Color LaserJet Enterprise MFP M480fOutstanding Color MFP for Small Workgroups

HP Color LaserJet Enterprise MFP M578 SeriesOutstanding Color MFP for Mid-Size Workgroups

HP Color LaserJet Enterprise M455dnOutstanding Color Printer for Small Workgroups

HP Color LaserJet Enterprise M555 SeriesOutstanding Color Printer for Mid-Size Workgroups

HP Color LaserJet Managed E45028dnOutstanding MPS-Ready Color Printer for Small Workgroups

HP Color LaserJet Managed MFP E47528fOutstanding MPS-Ready Color MFP for Small Workgroups

HP LaserJet Enterprise MFP M430fOutstanding MFP for Mid-Size Workgroups

HP LaserJet Enterprise M406dnOutstanding Printer for Mid-Size Workgroups

HP LaserJet Managed E40040dnOutstanding MPS-Ready Printer for Mid-Size Workgroups

HP LaserJet Managed MFP E42540fOutstanding MPS-Ready MFP for Mid-Size Workgroups

*Not all products are sold in all regions.

CANON RECOGNIZED FOR OUTSTANDING SOHO OFFERINGSCanon offers an unbeatable value to small and home office environments with its MAXIFY GX6020/GX7020 devices, said Kaitlin Shaw, Associate Director of A4 Hardware at Keypoint Intelligence. They deliver standout user-friendliness and image quality. The devices high-yield MegaTank design contributes to their extremely low total cost of ownership, as well as their low user intervention rates. Intuitive touchscreens and print drivers, simple routine maintenance procedures, and flexible mobile support boost productivity even more. And to top it all off, the devices vibrant color output can help marketing materials stand out from the crowd.

EPSON TAKES HOME A WIN IN THE HOME OFFICE CATEGORYThe Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5100 Wireless All-in-One Supertank Printer Series offers low-volume environments strong performance and impressive usability, said Kaitlin Shaw, Associate Director of A4 Hardware at Keypoint Intelligence. Thanks to its cartridge-free ink tank system that includes up to two years of ink in the box, total cost of ownership is significantly lower than the average of competitive models. Flawless reliability, strong user-friendliness, and a low user intervention rate means users will have more time for the most important tasks. Flexible mobile and cloud support make it easy and convenient for users to print and scan no matter where they are. Our lab technicians were also impressed with how vivid and consistent the devices color output was.

HP WINS BIG IN THE SMB SEGMENTHP has been recognized for its impressive variety of outstanding devices for small to mid-size workgroups, including several MPS-ready devices, said Kaitlin Shaw, Associate Director of A4 Hardware at Keypoint Intelligence. The top-notch performance, usability, and functionality that weve come to expect from HP is showcased in all of the winning models: flawless reliability, along with comprehensive security capabilities and robust feature sets. All the winning devices are powered by HP FutureSmart Enterprise firmware and support HP JetAdvantage Security Manager, which have both passed our Security Validation Testing program. The models also delivered fast print speeds and offer strong user-friendliness. Whats more, the devices support a wide range of mobile options that make it easy for workers to continue staying productive even when theyre on the go. Plus, they all offer integration with numerous software applications that can help businesses save even more time and money.

ABOUT KEYPOINT INTELLIGENCEFor 60 years, clients in the digital imaging industry have relied on Keypoint Intelligence for independent hands-on testing, lab data, and extensive market research to drive their product and sales success. Keypoint Intelligence has been recognized as the industrys most trusted resource for unbiased information, analysis, and awards due to decades of analyst experience. Customers have harnessed this mission-critical knowledge for strategic decision-making, daily sales enablement, and operational excellence to improve business goals and increase bottom lines. With a central focus on clients, Keypoint Intelligence continues to evolve as the industry changes by expanding offerings and updating methods, while intimately understanding and serving manufacturers, channels, and their customers transformation in the digital printing and imaging sector.

ABOUT BLI OFFICE HARDWARE PICK AWARDSBuyers Lab Picks stand alone in the industry and are hard-earned awards as they are based on rigorous testing, including an extensive durability assessment and evaluation of key attributes such as usability, image quality, and value. Each product that passes its lab test earns the Highly Recommended or Recommended Seal and a Certificate of Reliability, with the best performers qualifying as Pick contenders.

SOCIAL MEDIAConnect with Keypoint Intelligence on LinkedInFollow Keypoint Intelligence on Twitter

CONTACTDeanna Flanick+1 973-797-2145deanna.flanick@keypointintelligence.com

Share article on social media or email:

Read more here:

Keypoint Intelligence Awards Canon, Epson, and HP with BLI Summer 2021 A4 Picks - PR Web

A combination of factors led by the yearlong COVID-19 shutdown has spurred massive enrollment in the districts Supports, Enrichment and Accelerated Learning program, abbreviated as SEAL, which runs over the summer.

The LBUSD has 14,351 students enrolled in either SEAL or traditional high school credit recovery programs, more than 20% of LBUSD students. Compare that to the 5,433 students in traditional summer school in 2018, or the 8,663 in 2019 after the district first introduced SEAL, and its obvious that this year is unique (there were very limited in-person summer programs in 2020 due to the pandemic).

The reality is that our summer program this year, the number of students enrolled is larger than many school districts in the state of California, said Brian Moskovitz, the LBUSDs assistant superintendent over early learning and elementary schools, and one of the administrators running the SEAL program.

Indeed, the enrollment of over 14,000 students would put just the summer program in the top 10% of the largest school districts in the state. Moskovitz said that in 2019, the district applied surplus funding toward SEAL in an effort to transform the negative connotations around summer school into a summer program that actually attracted students.

Weve always had a summer school program in different iterations, he said. But summer school always had a reputation of remediation. Two summers ago we started SEAL as a summer program that included enrichment and that was available to general education students, bringing in some cool enrichment programs so that it wasnt just for students who needed remedial support.

That change led to a jump in enrollment, with parents attracted by a wider class range than just catch-up math and English. The SEAL program offers reading, writing, math, science, poetry, drawing, painting and dual-immersion language instruction. Moskovitz said that a lot of people in the district have been excited about the SEAL program, which spans multiple different-level offices within the administration.

Because of learning loss associated with COVID-19 shutdownsas well as social isolation experienced by many studentshe said the district really attacked this summer as a way to start turning things around before fall.

Knowing that we would be able to provide an in-person program, and what learning has been like over the last 18 months, we were intentional about building a robust program, he said. We have a full art program for example thats grounded in social-emotional learning.

The SEAL program isnt just serving to help catch up students who may have fallen behind over the last school year, its also serving as the re-introduction to in-person learning for many students. Moskovitz said that finalized numbers werent yet available, but that a sizable portion of the summer enrollment included students who did not return for in-person learning in the spring.

For many of our students, this is the on-ramp back to in-person learning, he said.

There will be a lot of attention paid to the LBUSDs reopening when the new school year starts at the end of August, with campuses reopened to full capacity for the first time since COVID-19 closed them in March of 2020. But a lot of students are getting their first taste of campus life in 15 months this summer because of SEALand are also being integrated back into school routines with SEAL programs that will be used again in the fall.

Even for those students who attended school in the spring, many of them were only in-person for half the day or every other day. The SEAL program is much closer to the regular school schedule students will see in the fall.

Our plan is, were fully prepared to reopen with all in-person learning this fall, said Moskovitz. We recognize in those first weeks if you have 20-25 kids back in the classroom, were going to have to help people transfer back in, building routines and community, and allowing students who havent done SEAL to do some of that.

Moskovitz said hes been in several classrooms over the last few weeks that the program has been running, and hes seen first-hand what that transition has been like for students. Normal art programs like creating a family shield are helping with the social-emotional learning goals of helping students re-integrate, as young students use their depictions of family life to express what their family has been through over the last year.

With the social-emotional learning were trying to make sure they have ways to express themselves if theyre frustrated and give them an opportunity to express their identities and share about themselves, he said.

Moskovitz, whose job focuses him on the districts youngest students, also said hes been blown away by how quickly kids have bounced back in classrooms hes visited.

The students are incredibly well-behaved and engaged. You wouldnt notice from surface behaviors that theyve been out of school for a year and a half, he said. Theyre resilient.

After a dark year, LBUSD hopes for full-day, in-person classes next year

Excerpt from:

LBUSD sees massive summer school enrollment, and it's more than remedial classes Long Beach Post News - Long Beach Post

THE organisers of this year's Aldi Chester 10k are making sure the running race will provide safe footing for competitors, volunteers and residents.

The fourth running of the city's 10k event will take place on Sunday, July 18.

All runners are being asked to take a Covid test the day before the race, and not to attend on race day if they have a positive result and/or are feeling any Covid symptoms.

Test kits can be collected at pharmacies in the city and from the dedicated Covid testing sites set up in Chester. People without symptoms can also get tested at Chester Cathedral.

As a further precaution, runners will be split into four different start time waves, and starters will be further divided into four groups.

Runners must wear masks before and after the race. It is not required for them to run the race while wearing a mask.

Due to the number of different start times, that means the roads used for the 10k route will be closed a little longer than usual.

People will not be allowed to drive on the roads used for the course and residents on the route who need to leave during the closure period should move their car before the road closures begin.

For runners, there will be no parking on site and they are advised to park nearby in the city if travelling in by car. In addition, there is no baggage storage bring only what you plan to run in or wear additional clothes which you wish to leave at the start and donate to charity.

For residents, Parkgate Road (A540) by Chester will be closed from 7.30am to noon.

The race starts will be on Chester Racecourse. There will be short delays on New Crane Street and Sealand Road between 7.30am and 10.30am.

In the Garden Quarter, the main road closures are: Raymond Street, Canal Street, Walpole Street, Cheyney Road, Garden Lane and Bouverie Street, which will be closed from 7.30am until 12.30pm.

Stadium Way and Saughall Road between Sealand Road and the Deva Link will be closed between 7.15am and 10.30am.

Parkgate Road from Liverpool Road to Deva Link, and the Deva Link, will be closed from 7.30am to noon.

Residents of Bouverie Street north of Garden Lane can exit via West Lorne Street onto Chichester Street. Residents of Raymond Street are advised to park south of the junction with Canal Street, and will be able to exit on Tower Road to New Crane Street, except for the short periods when runners are passing.

For Mollington residents, Parkgate Road (A540) will be closed from 7.15am to 11.45am. Residents can access Chester or the Wirral using Station Lane to get onto the A41. To access Saughall, use either Overwood Lane or Coalpit Lane.

Road closures do not apply to pedestrians. If you are on the run route please take care as there will be race vehicles on the route.

Sadly, no spectators will be permitted for the event, and runners should turn up to the event by themselves if possible, no more than 30 minutes before the start of their race.

Chris Hulse of Active Leisure Events, the team behind the Aldi Chester 10K, Essar Chester Half Marathon and the MBNA Chester Marathon, said: Weve missed hosting our events and seeing runners in Chester.

We have gone the extra mile to plan a race that conforms to all the Covid-19 guidelines and then some more to produce an event that will mark a safe return to running for all whilst still being the memorable experience that people expect from us.

Runners unable to attend on race day or would prefer to take part away from Chester can sign up to the 'Run Your Way' version of the race, which they can do any time up until August 15. Those unable to attend should email info@activeleisureevents.co.uk .

Chris added: We are over the moon to be finally back and doing what we love to do for the runners. Feedback we have had so far indicates that the runners are happy that we are playing it so safe. This is reflected in the surge of entries being received.

I am also delighted to announce that the coveted Chester Triple medal is back for 2021 for runners who complete the Aldi Chester 10K and Essar Chester Half Marathon and either the MBNA Chester Marathon or the MBNA Chester Metric Marathon.

Running is bouncing back and we are so glad to be part of it!

Continued here:

Chester 10k 2021: What runners and residents need to know - The Chester Standard

The program Home Sweet Home Chicago that airs on WGN(AM) on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. is sponsored by David Hochberg, MegaPros, J.C. Restoration, Inc., Builder Supply Outlet, Dykstra Home Services, ComEd, Law Offices of David R. Schlueter, Rose Pest Solutions, Amy Kite, Perma-Seal, Lindemann Chimney Co., Robert R. Andreas & Sons, Inc., Mr. Floor, Lindholm Roofing, Donna Sattler, Fidelity National Title, Executive Green Carpet Cleaning, Rae Kaplan, Jill Van Riet, Next Door and Window, Peerless Fence Company, Joe Cotton Ford, Miracle Method, RJ Graham Plumbing, JC Licht, Opem Tax Advocates, and Silverthorne Home Builders.

Click for more on David Hochberg and to meet our sponsors.

See Videos of the Shows Experts Guests.

Click to visit the Team Hochberg website to leave a question for David or any of the Home Sweet Home Chicago experts.

Illinois Association of County Veterans Assistance Commissions Directory.

More here:

Home Sweet Home Chicago (06/26/21) David Hochberg with MEGAPros Joe, Tom Jahnke with Builder Supply Outlet, Roy Spencer from Perma-Seal, and the VP...

ATLANTA Kill Cliff, the Worlds best-selling and best-tasting clean energy drink, marks its 10th anniversary and longtime partnership with the Navy SEAL Foundation by dropping a limited edition Commemorative Can. The red, white and blue can pays tribute to the Navy SEAL Foundation and the work they do to support families of the Naval Special Warfare.

Former Navy SEAL Todd Ehrlich founded Kill Cliff in 2011 with the singular goal of giving back to his community. Long before he took a paycheck, the founder began making donations to the Navy SEAL Foundation and made it his goal to become the largest single contributor. Kill Cliff became the first-ever Official Partner of the Navy SEAL Foundation in 2015, and has now donated more than $1 Million to the organization.

Kill Cliffs Commemorative Can drops just ahead of American Independence Day, encouraging everyone to celebrate their freedom and recognize those that made it possible.

I started Kill Cliff as a vehicle to give back to the Navy SEAL foundation. To see it grow to what it is today is truly a blessing, said founder Todd Ehrlich.

Former Navy SEAL and current CEO of Kill Cliff, John Timar adds, Its exhilarating to be part of a brand that is simultaneously altruistic and disruptive to the market. Were proud of our explosive growth and, consequently, the money weve donated. Its been an incredible decade, but honestly, were just getting started.

Kill Cliff is NSFs longest-standing corporate partner and has been unwavering in their commitment to our mission since their inception. They always find innovative ways to advance our impact as an organization, from donating proceeds from the sale of their products to supporting our events with product donations. Reaching $1MM in funds raised to support the warriors and families of Naval Special Warfare is an incredible milestone and we are beyond grateful for Kill Cliffs leadership and support. They truly are leaders in the nation of support for SEALs and their families.

The Commemorative Can is available in two of Kill Cliffs popular Ignite flavors, Fruit Punch and Cherry Lime Grenade. Kill Cliff is all-natural Freedom in a can. Free of sugar, chemicals, junk or sweeteners. It provides great tasting, clean energy with 150 mg of clean green tea caffeine, b-vitamins and electrolytes.

Thanks to passionate and loyal fans, known as the Kill Cliff Cult Club, Kill Cliff is experiencing record-breaking growth and is celebrating its most successful year. Pick up the Limited Edition Commemorative Can and join the worlds largest CBD beverage subscription club at KillCliff. Com. Save 15% on Commemorative Can Ignite flavors with the code KCNSF, now through Sunday, July 4, 2021. You can also buy Kill Cliff at thousands of Walmarts, Publix, QT, and many more outlets.

About KILL CLIFF

Founded and created by a Navy SEAL with the spirit of giving back to the community, Kill Cliff makes the worlds best and first clean energy drink. Headquartered in Atlanta, the Kill Cliff team includes civilians and accomplished military veterans and is absolutely committed to serving and supporting the Navy SEAL community. Kill Cliff honors the dedication and sacrifice made by these warriors and their families by donating a portion of the proceeds through their Official Partnership with the Navy SEAL Foundation. Visit KillCliff.com and follow KILL CLIFF on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram @killcliff.

For More Information:https://killcliff.com/

Read the original:

Kill Cliff Releases Limited Edition Commemorative Cans Celebrating 10 Years Of Giving Back To The Navy SEAL Foundation - BevNET.com

A pair of twin brothers who worked as Orange County sheriffs deputies pleaded guilty Tuesday to defrauding taxpayers by falsely reporting theyd been called to serve the military and collected paid leave, prosecutors said.

Taylor and Tyler Morgan, 26-year-old Long Beach residents, together received more than $46,000 in military leave for time when they werent called to serve but simply didnt want to lose vacation days, the U.S. Attorneys Office in Santa Ana said in a news release.

The brothers each pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of unlawful possession of a U.S. authentication feature and were immediately sentenced to a year of probation.

The men will also have to repay the money they obtained $14,000 for Taylor Morgan and $32,400 for Tyler Morgan and will have to serve home detention six months forTaylor Morgan and eight months for Tyler Morgan, prosecutors said.

Last September, the Sheriffs Department said it was investigating seven of its deputies after allegations of false military leave reporting came to light, but none of the deputies names had been released.

The Morgans admitted in their plea agreements to each filing around two dozen fake military orders.

Both men worked for the Sheriffs Department while also being in reserve units for the U.S. Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

The Sheriffs Department gave each of them 30 days of paid leave per year, along with an additional 30 days of leave for fulfilling active-duty obligations, officials said.

Prosecutors say the brothers altered orders that appeared to be official notices requiring them to serve active duty at Camp Pendleton, and the documents included a Department of Defense seal and Marine Corps authorization.

In one instance, Tyler Morgan admitted he submitted an order to make it look as if he was going to be on active duty in late July 2019. While he was on active duty for part of that time, he also took a trip to Las Vegas and spent time at home playing Call of Duty, prosecutors said.

Tyler Morgan allegedly received a total of 64 days of military leave to which he was not entitled, and Taylor Morgan 48 days.

Continue reading here:

2 ex-O.C. sheriffs deputies who are twin brothers admit to military leave fraud costing taxpayers nearly $50K - KTLA

A Republican candidate for Congress reportedly used campaign funds to travel from Wisconsin to Washington, D.C., to attend the January 6 rally by then-President Donald Trump, subsequently taking part in the violent breach of the United States Capitol building on the same day.

According to reporting from The Daily Beast, Derrick Van Orden (R-Wisconsin), a former Navy SEAL and small-time actor who lost last fall in a close race to Rep. Ron Kind (D-Wisconsin), used his leftover campaign funds from that contest to send himself and staffers to the nations capital for Trumps rally.

In tweets prior to January 6, Van Orden wrote he had traveled there to stand for the integrity of our electoral system in spite of zero evidence of fraud in the presidential race. After the violent breach of the Capitol, Van Orden wrote an op-ed where he repeated those claims, and denied having taken part in the Trump loyalist-takeover of the building, saying he did not enter the Capitol grounds.

However, social media postings have since demonstrated that is untrue. Although theres no evidence to suggest he entered the building itself, images of Van Orden on that day show he did indeed cross police barricades that had been set up and was on the grounds of the Capitol during the breach.

Van Orden, who has announced he is running again in 2022, is not the only congressional candidate to have been involved in the Capitol breach. However, he is perhaps the most noteworthy, as hes been endorsed by several key Republican leaders, including House Minority Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-California).

Van Ordens use of his remaining campaign funds to pay for his travels may have violated Federal Elections Commission (FEC) laws regarding how such revenues can be utilized. According to the FEC website, if an expense is made that would exist irrespective of an elections outcome, then its likely an improper use of campaign funds.

Using campaign funds for personal use is prohibited, the FEC states.

Even if Van Orden claims his presence at the Capitol was part of his future campaign, his use of previous funds may still be illegal: The Republican candidate did not declare his pending run in 2022 until April of this year.

Campaign accounts are not personal slush funds. They must be used for campaign-related activities, said Jordan Libowitz, communications director for campaign finance watchdog Citizens for Ethics and Responsibility, to The Daily Beast. Attempting to overthrow an election you just lost is not a proper campaign activity. If he did use his campaign to pay for travel for him and his staff to attend the rally-turned-insurrection, it would raise serious questions about his compliance with campaign finance laws.

Van Orden lost to Kind in Wisconsins Third Congressional District last fall by a slim margin, with the Democrat winning 51.3 percent and the Republican challenger taking 48.7 percent of the vote. The district was carried by Trump in 2020 by around 5 percentage points. Kind has represented the district since 1997.

Van Ordens candidacy was rife with problems, most notably when readers discovered he sexually harassed female officers while he was serving in the military, which he bragged about in a 2015 memoir titled Book of Man: A Navy Seals Guide to the Lost Art of Manhood. In the book, Van Orden described how he exposed a male lieutenants genitals, which had come into contact with poison oak, to female officers.

Have you ever seen anything like this? I asked, Van Orden wrote, noting he had pulled the patients curtain back without telling the officers what they were about to see. They gasped in horror as they saw the LT in all of his glory.

Van Orden later issued a statement claiming the action had been part of a medical training for the female officers.

Read more:

GOP Congressional Candidate Used Campaign Funds to Take Part in Capitol Breach - Truthout