Category Archives: Sealand

Derrick Van Orden arrives at the Premiere of Quiver Distribution's "Running With The Devil" at Writers Guild Theater in Beverly Hills, California, on September 16, 2019. Joe Scarnici/FilmMagic

A GOP candidate used leftover cash from his failed campaign to pay for a trip to the Capitol riot.

Derrick Van Orden from Wisconsin spent around $4,000 while in DC, the Daily Beast reported.

Regulations state that travel expenses must be "related to the campaign," experts said.

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A Republican congressional candidate from Wisconsin, who lost his 2020 race, allegedly used his leftover donor money to pay for a trip to the Capitol building on January 6, according to a Daily Beast report.

Derrick Van Orden, a former Navy SEAL and small-time actor, was reportedly left with $12,500 after narrowly losing to longtime incumbent Rep. Ron Kind in the November race for Wisconsin's 3rd congressional district.

He spent around a third of that - $4,000 - in transportation and accommodation while traveling to DC with his wife and a campaign staffer around the week of January 6, the Daily Beast reported.

Read more: Lots of congressional staffers make 'poverty wages' starting in the low $20,000s. 8 Capitol Hill aides break down how they stretch their paychecks to survive in one of the nation's most expensive cities

Jordan Libowitz, communications director for campaign finance watchdog Citizens for Ethics and Responsibility, told the Beast: "Campaign accounts are not personal slush funds. They must be used for campaign-related activities. 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," he added.

In a public op-ed published a week after the riots, Van Orden insisted the trip was for work-related meetings and "to stand for the integrity of our electoral system," the Daily Beast reported.

"If those were campaign-related meetings, he should say so," Libowitz said. "If it was a personal trip as a private citizen, that's another matter."

Story continues

Van Orden has previously admitted to attending the "Stop the Steal" rally on January 6 with several thousands of other Trump supporters, but insisted he never entered the grounds. However, social media posts of the day show Van Orden standing in a restricted area breached by protesters, the Daily Beast reported.

Van Orden announced in April that he's running for Congress again, and has already received major endorsements, including from Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and House Minority Whip Steve Scalise.

The November 2020 race ended up being a close call - Van Orden lost only by about 2.5 points to Kind, who has held the seat since 1997.

Both candidates attracted a record amount of campaign contributions during the race, according to federal disclosures. Kind raised around $3 million while Van Orden managed to pull in almost $2 million, the Daily Beast reported.

Van Orden is not the only congressional candidate who attended the Capitol riot.

Jason Riddle, who running in New Hampshire, said last week his Capitol riot-related arrest will likely help his campaign, Newsweek reported.

JR Majewski, who is running for Ohio's 9th congressional district, was also spotted breaching police barricades that day.

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A GOP candidate used leftover cash from his failed congressional campaign to pay for a trip to the Capitol riot, report says - Yahoo News

Imagine a seaside town with European flavor that boasts timeless art and artifacts, galleries and shopping, and world-class musical performances, all nestled on a lush island against a backdrop of rainforest and ocean views.

Now imagine you can be there by this afternoon.

Nicknamed the Paris of the Pacific in the 19th century, the former capital has witnessed the peaks and valleys of Alaska history and attracted creative, curious residents from around the world. The result is a community thats steeped in culture, a prime destination for arts lovers -- and a direct flight from Anchorage.

Alaskas colonial capital

Sitkas kind of like the Forrest Gump of Alaska history, said John Dunlap, owner of Alaska Wild Coast and general manager for Adventure Sitka. Almost everything about Alaska history somehow ties into something that happened in Sitka.

Sitka Summer Music Festival

Located in Lingit Aani, the traditional lands of the Tlingit people, in the late 1700s Sitka became the seat of government for occupying colonists from the Russian Empire.

When we think of colonial America, we think of Boston and the East Coast, said Bob Purvis, owner of Taste of Sitka Sea Walk Tour. This part of the world was colonized by another country.

Part of Sitkas uniqueness is in the blend of indigenous and colonizing cultures. When Russian colonial governor Alexandr Baranov founded Sitka in 1799, the area was already the home of the Kiks.di Clan, who battled the Russians for control of their island in the early 1800s. Today, Sitka remains heavily influenced by both Russian and Tlingit culture. Visitors can view Russian Orthodox art and artifacts at St. Michaels Orthodox Cathedral -- the first Russian Orthodox cathedral established in North America -- shop for gifts in one of the last remaining structures from Russian colonial days, and stand at the spot on Castle Hill where Alaska was transferred from Russia to the U.S. in 1867.

One of the areas most-visited attractions is Sitka National Historical Park, known locally as Totem Park. Located on the site of the Battle of Sitka between the Kiks.di and the Russians, the park features a museum and the original Russian Orthodox bishops house, but it is best known for the Totem Trail, an accessible, family-friendly trail through the forest, punctuated by 18 totem poles made by Alaska Native carvers.

Traditionally, the individual houses used to have their totem poles, said Dale Lindstrom, manager of Sitka Tribal Tours. Its kind of like house numbers -- it identifies you.

Each totem pole tells a story, he added, if you know how to read it.

You start at the bottom and work your way to the top, Lindstrom said. Look for animals -- the raven or the eagle, sometimes killer whales, wolves, bears, beavers. Sometimes if theres a person on top, theres a story about that person.

Sitkas first and forever people

Tlingit culture is central to Lindstroms job. Founded by the Sitka Tribe of Alaska, the nonprofit Sitka Tribal Tours offers culturally informed historical tours of the area that include performances by the Naa Kahidi Dancers, Tlingit performers in full regalia, at the Sheetka Kwaan Naa Kahidi Traditional Community House. The building is a replica of a traditional clan house with a 48-foot formline screen by master carver Will Burkhart, the largest such screen in Southeast Alaska.

Southeast Alaska cultures -- Tlingit, Haida, Tsimshian, Eyak -- are often grouped together, but different tribes, clans and regions are unique in their own ways, something that the Sitka tours celebrate.

How Ketchikan presents themselves is different from Hoonah, is different from Angoon, is different from Sitka, Lindstrom said. We have our own uniqueness in how we dance, how we participate in our koo.eex (memorial parties), our potlatches. We have different protocols. The tours that we offer, we want to bring the true nature of the culture. We dont want to fluff it up any; we just want to stay true to who we are as Tlingit people.

While Sitka Tribal Tours focuses on the Tlingit people of Sitka, the town offers opportunities to learn about -- and from -- all of Alaskas indigenous people. At the Sheldon Jackson Museum, visitors can explore an unparalleled collection of artifacts from numerous Alaska Native cultures.

Alaska is such a large state, and it can be so expensive and time-consuming to travel, said curator Jacqueline Fernandez-Hamberg. Coming to a place like Sitka and visiting the Sheldon Jackson Museum really brings Alaska to you.

Among the rare pieces on display: a polychromatic Aleut hat that is one of only six remaining in the United States (on loan from the Princeton University Art Museum), an Inupiaq whaling suit made from bearded seal, and the largest collection of Point Hope masks in the world. Along with the items on display in the gallery, there are 72 drawers that visitors can open to view jewelry, amulets, dolls, musical instruments, and other small artifacts.

People can kind of discover for themselves a new surprise with every opening of a drawer, Fernandez-Hamberg said. It turns adults into large children, basically, in a very refreshing and fun, whimsical way.

In 2013, the museums mission expanded to include contemporary Alaska Native art.

When Jackson was collecting, he was collecting contemporary works, essentially, Fernandez-Hamberg said. Theres no reason why we shouldnt do the same thing and acknowledge that Alaska Native peoples are not static. Their art forms are not static. Theyre continually innovating. Alaska Native peoples culture is alive and well.

Local arts & artisans abound

History and tradition are just part of Sitkas offerings. Its a place where Alaskans can indulge in art, music and beauty year-round -- but especially in summer.

Sitka is very artsy, said Rachel Klein, co-owner of Galanin + Klein, a downtown boutique that caters to locals and visitors alike. There is a lot of music, and there are a lot of artists in town -- really, really talented people.

Sheldon Jackson Museum Alaska Native Artist Residency Program

Klein and her business partner, Brit Galanin, opened their store in 2019 to showcase unique products made by small businesses. Along with jewelry, home decor, accessories, clothing and personal care items, Galanin + Klein carries art and jewelry from locals like painter Cara Murray and contemporary Tlingit artist Jerrod Galanin (Brits husband).

We focus a lot on small-batch vendors, Klein said. Pretty much all of our vendors that we have in the shop are small businesses -- family-owned, woman-owned, Black-owned businesses.

Small and local are recurring themes in walkable downtown Sitka, where you will find very few national chains and a treasure trove of independent businesses selling home goods, furs, gifts, soaps, Alaska-themed needlecraft supplies and more. Sprinkled throughout, youll find local galleries like Island Artists Gallery, an artist-owned co-op, and the Sitka Rose Gallery, which carries jewelry, prints and sculptures by more than 100 different Alaska artists.

I think we do have a really impressive artist community here in terms of the talent pool that we have, Klein said. I think its really unique. Theres enthusiastic support for the arts in the community, she added, with high turnout for art walks, concerts and exhibitions.

Performing arts are deeply ingrained in Sitkas community DNA, too. The highly regarded Sitka Music Festival celebrated its 50th season in June, and the participants in the festivals Sitka International Cello Seminar will perform throughout the community in July. Young artists from around the state flock to Sitka Fine Arts Camp and offer public performances in June and July each summer; this years production of Into the Woods opens July 30. The camp also offers classes and workshops throughout the year and has undertaken the restoration of its historic setting, the former Sheldon Jackson College campus.

It may no longer be known as the Paris of the Pacific, but with the variety of museums, historic sites, galleries, shops, performing groups and venues to discover, Sitka continues to live up to its reputation as a prime destination for culture lovers.

I think that there is still such a great deal of arts and culture and community, all of this overlap of those three things, that comes together with all of our amenities to make Sitka an ideal place to visit, Fernandez-Hamberg said. It really is such an amazing place.

Presented by Visit Sitka, inviting Alaska families to explore our unique town, where the fish is fresh, culture is celebrated, and adventure awaits visitors of all ages.

This story was produced by the sponsored content department of the Anchorage Daily News in collaboration with Visit Sitka. The ADN newsroom was not involved in its production.

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For history and culture lovers, there's no place like Sitka - Anchorage Daily News

Colombia has recently introduced a novel health declaration form to further prevent the spread of the deadly Covid-19 pandemic. Anyone who desires to travel to Colombia amid the coronavirus will be required to first fill out and complete the Colombia Check-MIG before entering the country premises. It is also important to note what the current situation is in Colombia. Natvisa.com is keeping passengers updated with the fast evolving entry measures to Colombia.

Across the world, governmental bodies have successfully implemented health certificates similar to the Colombia Check-MIG form in response to this global pandemic. The travel information and contact provided can be effectively used to track all the overseas visitors and minimize the infection rate.

After registering all your details with the virtual Colombia Check-MIG system, visitors are issued a barcode and reference number. All international travels are required to present proof of these two things upon their arrival to Colombia. In this guide, you will learn everything regarding the Check-MIG and application process so you can easily travel to Colombia.

The Colombia Check-MIG is a new and mandatory travel document form that each visitor should have for the purpose of entering or leaving Colombia. This particular form needs to be completed and submitted 24 hours before any visitor wishes to travel across the Colombian border and at least an hour prior to taking off.

This Colombia Check-MIG enables a single entry to Colombia. So, travelers must have the Check-MIG for entering the borders and going back home for control at the border. This particular document was introduced to build a safer environment for border control officials and foreign travelers.

During the novel Covid-19 pandemic, the Colombia Check-MIG serves as an essential document to reduce the contract amidst border point workers and passengers.

All countries are eligible for the Check-MIG travel form. Citizens from every country need to carry this essential document with themselves while crossing the Colombian borders.

Anyone who wishes to go to Colombia must first apply for the Check-MIG within 24 hours prior to their flight takeoff. The maximum time before it is a must to have your Check-MIG ready and with you is an hour before departure.

It takes just a few minutes to make an application online, and you can do it from anywhere you want. Just fill the application questionnaire with your personal details such as your name, travel details, email id, and health-related information if you have previously stayed in quarantine/isolation.

Then, pay the service charges. Luckily, there is no need to visit the Embassy to obtain this document. Each applicant can simply receive a confirmation of the Check-MIG via an email provided while applying online.

After you receive a confirmation message regarding your Colombia Check-MIG, it will remain valid for a total of 30 days. Any visitor who intends to cross the Colombian border must own a copy of the Check-MIG travel document upon departure or arrival from/to the country.

Also, note that whenever you are crossing the Colombian borders, you will be needing a new Colombia Check-MIG copy every time! The Check-MIG only serves as a single entry, whether you are entering the country or leaving for home.

Anyone who wishes to travel to Colombia must fill out the Colombia Check-MIG application form, which can be obtained effortlessly. All you need is a stable internet connection and a workable device to complete the Check-MIG application form.

Once done, you will receive it through an email within 24 hours. Just tap on the Apply Online button and fill out all the essential information required in the application form. Each traveler is required to enter the following data in their application forms before they visit Colombia:

Apart from their travel itinerary information, applicants are required to provide their personal details too. Furthermore, the Check-MIG must support the fact that your health status is stable and allows you to travel to Colombia. Hence, applicants also need to answer an additional set of health-related questions. The Covid-19 questionnaire entails details regarding:

Requirements on arrival

All visitors need to carry 2 primary documents when they arrive in Colombia. Also, you should carry all the required documents for control of the Colombian customs officials at the Colombian airport or upon control at the sea/land/river borders. The two essential documents are:

It is important to note that the Check-MIG doesnt work as a visa permit to Colombia. Nor does it replace a visa permit for anybody who requires it to cross country borders.

Check-MIG is a compulsory travel document for anybody whos entering or exiting from Colombia during the time of the deadly Covid-19 pandemic. Even if anybody is permitted to enter Colombia without a visa, it is still mandatory to have a Check-MIG for entry/exit.

The application form is 100% digital and is available at natvisa.com. Applicants can quickly fill it in, complete it, and pay the fees via PayPal or credit card.

Getting your Colombia Check-MIG is now easier than ever. There's no need to visit the Embassy anymore. Everything has been digitized for your convenience so that you dont have to give up your valuable time.

Once done, you just need to present the Health Declaration and your passport upon your arrival at the airport.

A Health Declaration is mandatory for every applicant to enter the Colombia borders.Apply Nowfor your Colombia Check-MIG form because this essential document will have you traveling to Colombia in no time.

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What is the Colombia Check-MIG Form and How You Can Get It - Luxury Travel Magazine

After its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2013, the documentary Blackfish reached nearly 21 million viewers within its first month of airing on CNN. The film tells the bleak story of Tilikum, a performing orca at the US marine park SeaWorld.

After being taken from his mother in the wild at the age of two, Tilikum was held in a tank at SeaLand Canada with two larger females who routinely attacked him. Together the three SeaLand orcas killed a trainer, and Tilikum was transferred to SeaWorld in Orlando on the understanding that he should no longer perform. This advice was ignored, and Tilikum went on to kill two more people, including trainer Dawn Brancheau at SeaWorld in Orlando in 2010.

Blackfish presented Tilikums aggression as symptomatic of post-traumatic stress, induced by a life in captivity. This contradicted SeaWorlds claims that orcas cooperated willingly during each show. The documentary sparked a public outcry against orca captivity.

The hashtag #EmptyTheTanks spread on Twitter and viewers pressured artists into cancelling their shows at SeaWorld and demanded corporate sponsors such as SouthWest Airlines to drop their partnerships with the company. There were also protests outside the park, and in cities worldwide.

In the year following Blackfishs release, SeaWorlds attendance dropped by one million visitors. In 2014, the company announced a 84% fall in income and saw its share price drop by 33%. Although SeaWorld attributed this to the seasonal nature of the business, the media largely blamed Blackfish. In September 2014, SeaWorlds shareholders launched a lawsuit against the park, claiming it had misled investors about the effect the documentary would have on its business. In February 2020 SeaWorld agreed to pay out $65m to settle lawsuit claims.

In 2016, SeaWorld announced the immediate end of its orca breeding programme, and in the same year, California passed a ban on captive orca breeding. Five years on, we conducted a study to find out just how influential Blackfish was in bringing about that decision.

The high number of viewers, social media engagement and press coverage indicate the documentary had a wide reach, but they cannot tell us the role that Blackfish actually played in changing SeaWorlds policies compared to other factors. For this, we carried out an impact evaluation to disentangle the complex causes.

We used a method from conservation which attempts to understand why a species has recovered in the wild. We compiled a list of 15 potentially important factors that could have led to the change in SeaWorlds breeding policy and stock market drop, including competition from other marine or theme parks, economic factors that meant guests had less spending money, the 2015 change in SeaWorlds leadership, and the effect of other media like the 2015 book Beneath the Surface, written by a former SeaWorld trainer.

We interviewed 26 people with expertise in marine conservation, marine mammal training, zoo and aquarium collections, animal welfare and media communication. This included SeaWorld trainers, though SeaWorlds leadership refused to take part. We asked them, based on their expert knowledge, whether they thought each of the 15 factors may have affected SeaWorld, and how. We then looked for corroborating evidence.

After eliminating less plausible explanations, our analysis indicated that the negative publicity resulting from Blackfish changed how people viewed orca captivity, and this, rather than a seasonal variation in guest numbers led to a drop in SeaWorlds visitors and market value. This became particularly clear when we compared SeaWorlds stock market value over the same period to other amusement parks, such as Disneyland and Universal Studios.

Interviewees identified several reasons why Blackfish had such an impact. The support from major distribution channels like CNN lent credibility to the documentary and allowed it to reach a large audience. As one former employee of SeaWorld said:

Having that movie picked up by CNN gave it credence [and] made people thinkthis isnt just a propaganda piece. This is news.

Blackfish also made viewers empathise with Tilikum. One media communication expert screened Blackfish with her students and described its impact:

They get really emotional, very sad or very angry but quite a strong emotional reaction.

The testimonies of the diverse range of experts we interviewed suggested that viewers felt SeaWorld had been dishonest and reckless. As one animal welfare campaigner put it:

It just really offended people that theyve been lied to for so long A very severe blow to a company that relies on the goodwill of the public.

The companys dismissal of Blackfish as propaganda did not help either. One person who worked in the aquarium industry said SeaWorld had been incredibly slow to anticipate the fallout.

But our study also made clear that the timing of Blackfishs release was vital. Various filmed and written works released prior to Blackfish, such as the 2009 documentary The Cove, had slowly influenced public attitudes towards marine mammal welfare and rights.

Blackfish benefited from a perfect storm, building upon decades of animal welfare and animal rights activism against marine mammal captivity.

By exploiting that and creating an emotional bond with viewers through the plight of Tilikum, Blackfish achieved what researchers have so far only speculated about when it comes to the potential of documentaries sparking widespread activism and, ultimately, change.

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Blackfish: how captive killer whale documentary ended SeaWorld's orca breeding programme - The Conversation UK

PEOPLE who live or work in two Chester postcode areas are being urged to book a Covid-19 test in response to the rise in positive cases of the Delta Covid variant in the area.

The latest seven-day incidence rate in the borough from June 7-13 showed an increase to 117 positive cases per 100,000. A few weeks ago, the infection had dropped as low as five, thanks to a combination of lockdown and the vaccination roll-out.

But lockdown measures easing, combined with the emergency of the more transmissible Delta variant, have caused concern.

Surge testing will now be taking place in Chester postcodes CH1 3 and CH 1 4, where the infection rates are significantly higher than the borough average.

Residents living or working in postal codes CH1 3 and CH1 4 are strongly encouraged to take a PCR test, whether or not they are showing symptoms and regardless of whether they have had the Covid-19 vaccine.

Residents who have had a positive PCR test in the last 90 days do not need to take another PCR test at this time.

Although residents without symptoms should still be testing twice weekly with rapid Lateral Flow Tests (LFT), PCR tests have a higher accuracy rate. Positive results are sent to specialist laboratories to help identify COVID-19 cases with a Variant of Concern (VOC) and then prevent their spread.

To book a test, visit: http://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or call: 119.

Appointments are available at the nearest Local Testing Sites at Little Roodee car park and Sealand Road Park and Ride.

Tests are also available without an appointment at Chester Cathedral, however there may be a long wait. The counciltherefore encourages people to book a test at the above sites.

Residents are also reminded of the importance of undertaking LFTs twice weekly and are being encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as they are eligible.

Home testing LFT kits can be picked up at Little Roodee Testing Centre, Sealand Road Park and Ride Testing Centre and at the Cathedral, as well as at participating pharmacies. You can also order them by post at https://www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests or by calling 119.

Councillor Karen Shore, Deputy Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: The surge in cases of the Delta variant of COVID-19 is alarming, but we can control it by observing the hands, space, face and fresh air rules, minimising our travel, getting the vaccine as soon as we can and by testing.

Please book in for a PCR test if you live in the CH1 3 or CH1 4 postcode area, whether you have symptoms or not. And take care to protect yourself and others.

Anyone with Covid-19 symptoms, including a new continuous cough, high temperature or loss or change in their sense of taste or smell should self-isolate and book a free test at http://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or call 119.

Excerpt from:

Surge testing in two areas of Chester amid 'alarming' rise in Covid rate - The Chester Standard

A good salad dressing adds new dimensions to a dish even with a single spoonful. Its usually made with an emulsion of oil, but there are many other ways to get a thick and glossy dressing: whizzed mango or pureed sweet potato, say, deliver body while reducing calories, but my biggest tip is to add a teaspoon of white miso to your favourite dressing to give it an unctuous lift. Spring-into-summer salads are a staple, but whether theyre robust or light, a good dressing is a must.

I always have pureed sweet potato portions in my freezer, because theyre so useful. Try adding 50g to your bread dough or stir some into a dressing as a low-fat way to sweeten and thicken in one fell swoop. You can use up any cooked sweet potato here, be it baked, roasted or boiled. And while were at the not-wasting, the pickling liquor from the beetroot jar will bring both tang and an amazing colour. The pickled beetroot in the salad, meanwhile, provides a hearty dose of anthocyanins.

Prep 5 minServes 230g sweet potato puree30ml pickled beetroot liquor15g wholegrain mustard1 garlic clove, peeled and minced1 tsp salt10g honey5g dill fronds, shredded

Put everything in a jar, seal and shake to combine. Store in the fridge for up to two weeks.

Salads packed with cooked wholegrains or roasted root veg match very well with an earthy, nutty dressing. Nut butters are already a smooth emulsion, so theyre perfect for dressings, and give a boost to your microbiome through indigestible fibre and polyphenols.

Prep 10 minServes 2

40g smooth peanut butter (or your choice of nut butter)1 garlic clove, peeled and minced1cm chunk fresh ginger, peeled and minced20ml cider vinegar10ml soy sauce1 tsp salt1 tsp ground fenugreek15ml honey20ml water

Put everything in a jar, break down the peanut butter with a spoon, then put on an airtight lid and shake to combine. Store in the fridge for up to two weeks.

Salty, sweet, spicy, tangy, intense, the Vietnamese know how to liven up a dish with this traditional dipping sauce. This works brilliantly on noodle salads with crunchy veg, but its very versatile I often splash some over stir-fries, or use it to dress a simple salad of tomatoes and fresh mint leaves.

Prep 5 minServes 2

2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced2cm piece fresh ginger, peeled and minced25ml lime or lemon juice20ml rice-wine vinegar20ml fish sauce2 tsp palm sugar (or soft brown sugar)1 tsp salt10ml sriracha

Put everything in a jar, seal and shake to combine. Store in the fridge for up to two weeks.

This fresh dressing is packed full of herbs. The herbs and zing of the lemon are tempered and rounded out with the creamy tahini and white miso. It is a bold dressing, and you can sub in whatever herbs you have in the fridge; I always make this when my herbs are starting to languish. I like it on warm salads, such as green beans, but it also stands up well to grains and roasted root veg.

Prep 10 minServes 2

30g light tahini30ml lemon juice1 garlic clove, peeled and minced1 tsp salt3g white miso8 tbsp (5g) fresh dill, finely chopped1 tbsp (5g) fresh parsley, finely chopped1 tbsp (5g) fresh coriander, finely chopped20ml warm water

Put the tahini, lemon juice, garlic and salt in a jar. Add the miso, press it with the back of a spoon until mixed in, then put on the lid and shake to combine. Add the chopped herbs and water, seal again and shake vigorously. Store in the fridge for up to two weeks.

It was a revelation when I realised that blended mango is the perfect consistency for a dressing. All you need is some flavour balance, and you have a wonderfully healthy dressing option if your mango is not fully ripe, you may need to add a little honey. This dressing works best with crisp, fresh salads and slaws, but it can also be used as a fruity extra to a stir-fry or even as a dip for crudites.

Prep 5 minServes 2

90g mango flesh20ml white-wine vinegar1 tsp salt1 garlic clove, peeled and minced1 tsp white miso

Put all the ingredients in a beaker and whizz with a stick blender until smooth. Transfer to a jar, seal and store in the fridge for up to a week.

This will make even the simplest salad sing. Avocado brings the velvet body, while the herbs and spinach deliver an iron richness to give you a boost. It is a thick dressing, but slackens if used on a juicy salad. It also works well on warm new potatoes or swirled through hummus.

Prep 5 minServes 2

avocado, peeled and stoned4 tbsp (15g) fresh parsley, stalks and leaves2 tbsp (6g) fresh coriander, stalks and leaves tbsp (3g) fresh basil leaves25g spinach leaves10ml olive oil1 tsp white-wine vinegarZest of 1 lemon20ml lemon juice tsp salt

Put everything in a beaker and whizz with a stick blender until smooth. Transfer to a jar, seal and store in the fridge for up to a week

Recipes extracted and adapted from Good to Eat: Feelgood Food to Energise you for Life, by David Atherton, published at 25 by Hodder & Stoughton. To order a copy for 21.75, go to guardianbookshop.com.

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David Athertons dressing recipes for summer salads - The Guardian

It isseal season along the coasts of south-east South Australiaand western Victoria, a time of year whenjuvenile seals head to shore as their mothers hunt.

It means more seal sightingsand therefore one of the busiest times of the year for the Australian Marine Wildlife Research and Rescue Organisation (AMWRRO).

Founder Aaron Machado is asking for beach-lovers to take care.

"At the Coorongwe've already had one tragedy where a fisherman has been fishing most of the day, next to a seal and then a four-wheel drive doing great speeds over 60kph ran straight over the top of it," he said.

"That's unfortunately going to happen where you have vehicles on beaches and critters who come ashorelooking like a bit of seaweed."

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A not-for-profit based in Adelaide, the conservation and rescue organisation is open 24/7.

But Mr Machado is stressing the importance of learning when an animal is or is not in need of rescue or assistance.

"We've had probably in excess of 1,000, 1,200 phone calls for the past three weeks," he said.

"A lot of people may live in areas where they haven't seen a seal on the beach before ... but because you may not have seen it in the past, it doesn't mean it's not supposed to be there."

Returning to shore to rest after a few days at seais completely normal behaviour for the juvenile seals.

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They may need help, however,if they have an open wound, are tangled in debris, or skinny enough to see ribs and a dipbetween the shoulder blades.

If an animal appears in need, Mr Machado warns people to contact the professionals first, as seals can become aggressive and distressed.

"They could lash out make a phone call before you interact," he said.

Two main species can be spotted along the coastline the long-nosed fur sealand the endangered Australian sea lion.

It is an offence to harm or kill either protected animal and could result in a $100,000 fine.

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Portland Tourist Association presidentDennis Carrsaid now was the time to spot seal pups from a safe distancealong the beach at Cape Bridgewater.

"They're running along the foreshore there in the late afternoons usually around 3:00pm or 4:00pm," he said.

"They come in with the wavesand play aroundand surf the waves.

"Just remember there are reasons for the rules; it's to protect our sealsand all our fish life."

Continue reading here:

Seal season's a busy time for rescue groups, but not all washed-up pups are in need - ABC News

LIANYUNGANG, China, June 18, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --On the afternoon of June 18, the 2021 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) International Round Table was successfully held in Lianyungang city, Jiangsu province. The conference was co-hosted by the Secretariat of the SCO and Lianyungang Municipal People's Government, with the theme of "enhancing international cooperation in economy and trade, and promoting facilitation in merchandise exports and imports among SCO member states".

The SCO Secretariat and relevant officials from SCO member states, observer countries, and dialogue partner countries participated in the meeting in the form of "online + offline". The meeting was chaired by Fang Wei, the Mayor of Lianyungang city. Vladimir Norov, Secretary-General of the SCO Secretariat, Hui Jianlin, Deputy Governor of Jiangsu Province, and Xiang Xuelong, Secretary of the CPC Lianyungang Municipal Committee delivered speeches.

As a strong fulcrum for the Belt and Road intersection and the important node city in the New Eurasian Continental Bridge Economic Corridor, Lianyungang assumes the role of a two-way opening window and a sea-land conversion hub. In recent years, with the vigorous economic development of the SCO countries and the in-depth implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, Lianyungang is making every effort to build the SCO overseas base and the China-Kazakhstan logistics cooperation base. The cooperation effects and demonstration effects achieved caused widespread concern.

On the basis of the cooperation results of the first SCO Round Table, using the SCO's actual needs and long-term development of international industrial cooperation and special product trade as entry point, this year's meeting aims at new trends and explores new ideas, new countermeasures, and constructs the international logistics cooperation relationship of mutual respect, mutual support, and win-win cooperation.

Participants affirmed the important contribution of Lianyungang in the SCO member states in fighting the COVID-19 and coping with its negative impact, and noted the huge development potential of port of Lianyungang, and believed that the urban logistics and industrial clusters should be used more actively. It is to strengthen the multilateral cooperation and exchanges in the SCO Free Trade Zone, and develop cooperation in the transportation, transshipment and processing of transnational goods under the framework of the national strategy and the Belt and Road Initiative.

For more details, please visit http://www.scoilp.gov.cn/Default.aspx?mpid=10

SOURCE Lianyungang Municipal People's Government

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The 2021 SCO International Round Table was held in Lianyungang, Jiangsu - PRNewswire

Harris County Precinct 4 hosts a summer movie night event at Kickerillo-Mischer Preserve June 28. (Courtesy Harris County Precinct 4)

Harris County Precinct 4 hosts a Fathers Day Fishing event during which participants can enjoy a leisurely day of fishing and visit the Trails As Parks information booth to find fish ID cards and borrow poles and bait, which are available on a first-come, first-served basis. While all ages are welcome, participants age 17 and older must have a valid Texas fishing license. 9 a.m.-noon. Free. Dennis Johnston Park, 709 Riley Fuzzel Road, Spring. 281-353-8100. http://www.hcp4.net

June 22: Show off 'The Office' knowledge

CityPlace at Springwoods Village hosts a trivia night on the plaza focusing on the NBC television series 'The Office,' as part of a summer-long series. 7:30 p.m. Free. CityPlace at Springwoods Village Plaza, 1250 Lake Plaza Drive, Spring. 713-840-2700. http://www.cityplacespringwoods.com

June 24: Check car seats

Spring Fire Department hosts a child car seat safety check event in partnership with Safe Kids Greater Houston led by Texas Childrens Hospital. Car seat checks are available by appointment only, which can be made in advance by calling 832-824-3481 or emailing [emailprotected]. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Spring Fire Station No. 74, 23803 Aldine Westfield Road, Spring. 281-355-1266. http://www.springfd.org

June 24: Go for a run

Camp Gladiator trainers will lead a one-, three- and five-mile community run starting at the CityPlace at Springwoods Village Plaza. 6 p.m. Free. CityPlace at Springwoods Village Plaza, 1250 Lake Plaza Drive, Spring. 713-840-2700. http://www.cityplacespringwoods.com

June 28: Watch Aladdin

Families are invited to bring blankets, chair sand snacks to watch Disneys animated film Aladdin. The event includes take-home craft kits, and while registration is not required, space is limited. Kickerillo-Mischer Preserve, 20215 Chasewood Park Drive, Houston. 281-353-8100. http://www.hcp4.net

July 4: Enjoy an Independence Day picnic

Trinity Klein Lutheran Church hosts a church-wide picnic following Sunday service on July 4. The event will feature the music of Lyle Lovett, a tribute to veterans and members of the armed forces, as well as a special message from former U.S. Navy SEAL and author Chad Williams. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own picnic supplies and both indoor and outdoor seating options will be available. To RSVP for the event, click here. 10-11:30 a.m. (church service), 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. (picnic). Free. Trinity Klein Lutheran Church, 5201 Spring Cypress Road, Spring. 281-376-5773. http://www.trinityklein.org

July 14: Donate blood

Spring Fire Department hosts a blood drive in partnership with the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center. Appointments can be made in advance by clicking here. 8:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Spring Fire Station No. 71, 656 E. Louetta Road, Spring. 281-355-1266. http://www.springfd.org

July 15: Learn about the state of health care

The Houston Northwest Chamber of Commerce hosts its annual State of Health Care panel discussion as part of its monthly Keynote Speaker Series. Panelists include Keith Barber, CEO of Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital, Scott Davis, CEO of HCA Houston Healthcare Northwest, and Mario Garner, president of CHI St. Lukes Hospital-The Vintage Hospital. The virtual event will be hosted via Zoom and attendees can register in advance by clicking here. Noon-1 p.m. Free. 281-440-4160. http://www.houstonnwchamber.org

July 15-17: Shop for a cause

St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Community hosts a three-day garage sale, the proceeds from which will benefit its Community Outreach Ministry. 8 a.m.-3 p.m. daily. Free. St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Community Christus Center, 7810 Cypresswood Drive, Spring. 281-370-3401. http://www.ignatiusloyola.org

July 16: Watch Mulan

Families are invited to bring blankets, chair sand snacks to watch Disneys animated film Mulan. The event includes take-home craft kits, and while registration is not required, space is limited. Collins Park, 6727 Cypresswood Drive, Spring. 281-353-8100. http://www.hcp4.net

All month: Return to the library

After reopening to the public in May for the first time in more than a year due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the Barbara Bush Branch Library will host a variety of in-person and virtual events this summer ranging from writing workshops for teens to book clubs for adults. For a complete list of events, click here. Barbara Bush Branch Library, 6817 Cypresswood Drive, Spring. 832-927-7800. http://www.hcpl.net/branch/barbara-bush-branch-library

LIVE MUSIC

Vintage Park

110 Vintage Park Blvd., Ste. 270, Houston

281-655-8000

http://www.vintageparkhouston.com

June

19 Twin Connection, 7-10 p.m.

24 Yelba Heaton Band, 7-10 p.m.

25 Adrian Michael, 7-10 p.m.

26 Gary Michael Dahl Band, 7-10 p.m.

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'The Office' trivia, Father's Day fishing: 15 events, things to do in Spring and Klein in June, July - Community Impact Newspaper

Newly released documents show a Tasmanian government staff member called for an investigation into the procedures and requirements of staff at aquaculture giant Tassal after the death of a seal in 2018.

WARNING: This story contains images and descriptions which may causedistress

The documents also showthe number of seals that are killed and injured due to the approved and legislated use of deterrents is likely to be much higher than reported.

The documents were released followinga Right to Information (RTI) request onthe use of seal deterrents used by salmon farm giants Tassal, Huon Aquacultureand Petuna.

They showa number of investigations were made by the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (DPIPWE) into the deaths of seals in and around salmon leases across the state.

Supplied: DPIPWE

The investigation started in 2018 after a seal was found dead on a Tassal fish containment pen at Nubeena, alleged to be caused by a scare cap dart that was found within the abdominal cavity and intestines of the animal.

DPIPWE wildlife biologistSam Thalmann, who performed a necropsy on the seal, indicated to his colleagues via email that, "the dart had penetrated the skin and torn through the small intestines of the seal" and was located and clearly identified in the "small intestines".

"The Tassal staff who were present during the necropsy showed no signs of disturbance nor any indication that anything out of the ordinary had occurred to result in the injury and subsequent death," he wrote

"It is certainly my understanding that they were strongly of the impression that this death occurred through "normal" mitigation activities and deployment of deterrent devices.

ABC News: Manika Champ

"Given the outcome of this incident, the current culture and attitude of the staff, in association with an unknown number of seal deaths and subsequent identification into cause of death, I believe that some form of investigation into the procedures, adherence to a minimum requirements (ie minimum distance) and identification of the type of firearm (and available pressures) for deploying these darts is required. "

The documents show that a condition of the permit for fish farmers to use seal deterrent devices states that seal scare caps should not be discharged when a seal is within 5 metres of the permit holder.

The documents show that in the 2018 calendar year up to October, Mr Thalmann recorded 34 dead marine mammal reports from the aquaculture industry.

"Necropsies could only be performed on 12 of the seals retrieved, with 50 per cent of these showing blunt force trauma contributing to their death," Mr Thalmann said.

It is documented that Mr Thalmann believes the findings are likely "a large underestimate of the proportion of seals that die due to approved and legislated deterrent use".

"This is also likely a large underestimate as many seals with injury/penetrating wounds resulting from deterrents would leave the area and die outside of the lease area," he wrote.

Supplied: DPIPWE

"I can personally testify that this appears to be the case as having performed recent survey work around seal haul-outs adjacent to marine farming zones, I have noted a proportion of injured and debilitated seals in significant higher densities than would be expected to occur at a wild haul-out."

The documents also show the government department issued 789 seal deterrent permits over a three-year period.

Over this period, aquaculture giant Tassal used 55,798 seal crackers and 3,647 rounds of bean bags against seals, Huon Aquaculture used 16,008 crackers and 315 rounds of bean bags to deter the seals and Petuna used 3,533 seal crackers and no bean bags.

Following the findings from the necropsies, Mr Thalmann had email correspondence with his colleagues at DPIPWE to recommend the department implement a number of actions, including the banning of "scare-cap devices from firearms with multiple power settings" and further investigations to determine what tissue damage may result from scare-caps and bean bags on seals.

The documents also showed in September 2019, a seal was reported to be injured but alive at a Tassal marine farming lease at Tinderbox.

An investigation into the incident indicated the seal was trying to access a fish pen when a DPIPWE wildlife ranger attempted to contain the seal in an empty fish pen and then trap or sedate the seal to remove it from the pen and transfer it to a holding cage.

The documents indicate the seal was successfully trapped and transferred to Tassal's onshore facility at Electrona before it was examined the following morning.

Supplied: DPIPWE

Overnight, the seal had vomited a significant amount of partly digested farmed salmon and on further examination, the seal had the tail of a beanbag hanging from between the eyelids of the closed left eye.

Wildlife officers said during email correspondence that, "there was obvious swelling of the soft tissues of the left eye, however, there was discharge weeping from the eye."

It is documented that the beanbag projectile lodged in its eye caused permanent ocular damageand the animal was euthanased the following day.

Beanbags are lead-filled projectiles encased in a Kevlar bag that are fired to deter seals from marine farm staff and associated infrastructure.

In email correspondence, DPIPWE staff noted a conversation with Tassal about the incident, in which it was alleged the Tassal staff member said he was aware ofthe incident and indicated that there had been an internal investigation into the matter.

But it was found to be unintentional as it is "hard, as they are fast" and no internal disciplinary action was to be undertaken.

The documents show DPIPWE staff indicated this incident to be a compliance issue on two fronts. Firstly, they said: "Beanbags should never be discharged towards the head of a seal."

And secondly, they claimedit is a permit requirement that injuries caused to seals are reported to a DPIPWE contact officer within one hour of the event, but it is alleged this particular injury was not called in within the time frame.

The wildlife offer said, "we believe it is highly unlikely that the shooter wouldn't have realised the animal had been struck in the head at the time."

Environment Tasmania said the new documents showed there needs to be an investigation by the integrity commission around the salmon industry'streatment of seals.

Supplied: DPIPWE

"We've got people working in open water, shooting weapons and exploding underwater crackers at seals, that can then swim off and die slowly and inhumanly," Environment Tasmania's lead marine campaigner Jilly Middleton said.

"Members of the public were finding the seals. Some had eye wounds, some had gashes to their skin, some of them were too old to tell what was going on."

She said while government representatives continue to remind the industry of their obligations, there needto be changes to practices.

"One of the issues we're really worried about is the misuse of the weaponry that the salmon farmers are using on the seals," Ms Middleton said.

"One of the concerns raised in the RTI papers is there was an attitude and culture amongst the staff at the time [of one of the seal deaths]that indicated that this was normal, this was an expected outcome, this was par for the course and none of them were surprised."

ABC News: Alison Costelloe

A spokesperson for Tassal said the company'sprimary effort is exclusion and that they do not seek to engage with wildlife except when necessary.

"However, we do operate in wild environments, and occasional wildlife interactions do occur."

"Tassal is committed to compliance with all regulations regarding seal and wildlife management around our operational areas."

Tasmania is to ban salmon farmer Tassal from relocating seals in the south to the state's north by the end of the year.

"We publicly report on our interactions with wildlife through our online sustainability reporting dashboard."

The aquaculture giant said they dedicate resources to animal welfare and farm practices, including a $90 millionrollout of sanctuary pens to strengthen the exclusion of wildlife.

"The welfare of both our fish and the marine mammals and birds that interact with our farms is of critical importance to us."

The Minister for Primary Industries and Resources Guy Barnett said he was unaware of the findings found in the RTI documents about seal deaths and deterrents.

"We have a seal management plan and a framework that operates across the salmon and fishing industry, it's an important framework and it should be abided by," Mr Barnett said.

"Animal welfare is a top priority for our government, it's a very serious matter."

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Calls for inquiry into legislated and approved animal deterrents following Tasmanian seal deaths - ABC News