(COLUMBIA, S.C.) –South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the arrest of Thomas James Adams, 26, of Heath Springs, S.C., on five charges connected to the sexual exploitation of a minor. Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigators with the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office made the arrest. Investigators with the Attorney General’s Office, also a member of the state’s ICAC Task Force, assisted with this investigation.
Investigators received a CyberTipline report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which led them to Adams.Investigators state Adams distributed and possessed files of child sexual abuse material.
Adams was arrested on April 4, 2025. He is charged with two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, second degree (§16-15-405), a felony offense punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment on each count; and three counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, third degree (§16-15-410), a felony offense punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment on each count.
The case will be prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office.
Attorney General Wilson stressed all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in a court of law.
* Child sexual abuse material, or CSAM, is a more accurate reflection of the material involved in these heinous and abusive crimes. “Pornography” can imply the child was a consenting participant. Globally, the term child pornography is being replaced by CSAM for this reason.
(COLUMBIA, S.C.) –South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the arrest of Sammy Lee Knight, 30, of Greenville, S.C., on three charges connected to the sexual exploitation of minors. Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigators with the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office made the arrest. Investigators with the Attorney General’s Office and the City of Greenville Police Department, both also members of the state’s ICAC Task Force, assisted with the investigation.
Investigators received a CyberTipline report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which led them to Knight. Investigators state Knight distributed files of child sexual abuse material.
Knight was arrested on April 4, 2025. He is charged with three counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, second degree (§16-15-405), a felony offense punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment on each count.
This case will be prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office.
Attorney General Wilson stressed all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in a court of law.
* Child sexual abuse material, or CSAM, is a more accurate reflection of the material involved in these heinous and abusive crimes. “Pornography” can imply the child was a consenting participant. Globally, the term child pornography is being replaced by CSAM for this reason.
DENVER — The Colorado Disability Funding Committee (CDFC), now housed in the recently established Colorado Disability Opportunity Office (CDOO) within the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE), will be awarding $2 million in grant funding for disability application assistance. Grantees across the state were selected for their work in helping individuals and families complete their applications for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), long-term Medicaid, appeals, tax filing assistance, property tax rebates, rent and heat assistance, earned income, state tax credits, and other benefit applications. T
he committee received requests for over $8.4 million in grant funding from a widely diverse group of 61 organizations that specialize in services for individuals with specific disabilities, underserved demographic communities, and diverse geographical areas across Colorado. The Governor-appointed members of the CDFC report that this assessment and award-granting process was the most competitive and difficult one to date.
“Every Coloradan deserves access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive and are eligible to receive, but applying for these benefits can be challenging. The overwhelming response to this grant program shows just how critical these services are for individuals with disabilities across our state,” said Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera. “Through this funding, we are empowering organizations that are helping individuals and families with disabilities navigate complex application processes and access essential benefits. I am grateful for the work of the Colorado Disability Opportunity Office and the Colorado Disability Funding Committee in advancing equity and opportunity for the disability community.”
“With more than 61 applications for this round of funding, and requests for well over the available $2 million, the CDFC had difficult decisions to make,” said CDOO Director, Danny Combs. “It’s clear there is a huge need to offer further support to individuals with disabilities, and CDOO is committed to doing all we can to provide more pathways to opportunity for all Colorado’s disability community. ”
23 Non-profit organizations and county human services agencies from all corners of the state have been selected to receive funds. The grantees CDOO intends to award are listed below.
In the Denver metro area and along the Front Range:
Atlantis Community, Inc.
The Denver Indian Center Inc.
El Grupo Vida, Inc.
Work Options for Women
Easter Seals Colorado La Raza Services, Inc.
The Center for People with Disabilities
The Arc of Larimer County Disabled Resource Services
The Mental Health Care Center of Denver
Deaf Overcoming Violence through Empowerment (DOVE)
The Rocky Mountain MS Center
The Aurora Comprehensive Community Mental Health Center, Inc.
The Ensight Skills Center, Inc.
The Center for Legal Advocacy
In Colorado Springs, Pueblo, and some of Southeast Colorado:
The Resource Exchange, Inc.
In rural and underserved areas:
Community Connections, Inc.
The Northwest Colorado Center for Independence Connections for Independent Living
The Center for Independence, Inc.
Archuleta County Department of Human Services
Montrose County Department of Human Services
Morgan County Department of Human Services
CDOO’s most recent New and Innovative grant application recently closed after receiving 191 applications and more than $15 million in grant requests for ideas that will improve the independence and quality of life for Coloradans experiencing a disability. The CDFC has just begun analysis and hopes to make recommendations and award decisions by the end of April. CDOO expects to open a third round of grant funding later this summer.
About The Colorado Disability Funding Committee (CDFC)
The Colorado Disability Funding Committee is made up of 13 Governor-appointed members, with the requirement that at least seven members must identify as living with a disability or have first-hand experience working with someone who does. Members oversee the distribution of grant funds which are used to invest in new and innovative initiatives working to increase the quality of life and independence of Coloradans with disabilities, and to assist Coloradans with disabilities apply for programs such as Social Security Disability Insurance and Medicaid.
About The Colorado Disability Opportunity Office (CDOO)
Established by HB24-1360 in 2024, the Colorado Disability Opportunity Office (CDOO) is the point of contact for state agencies, private sector organizations, and the public to advance the integration and inclusion of the disability community. CDOO sits at the intersection of policy development and implementation, and HB 24-1360 ensures that CDOO leadership continues to advise the Governor and his team on disability policy, ensure cross-agency collaboration, and provide funding through the CDFC to disability organizations and businesses. ###
overnor Kathy Hochul today announced the state is moving forward with plans to bring Great Lakes cruises to Buffalo. A Request for Proposals was issued today by the state’s Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation seeking proposals to design, develop and create a new cruise terminal to support Great Lakes cruise operations at Slip 2 on the Outer Harbor. Based on expressed interest by cruise companies, it is expected that Buffalo could serve as a port as early as 2027. This request follows ECHDC’s previously completed Market Demand Study for the cruise industry in Buffalo, which is available on the Empire State Development website. Proposals must be submitted to ESD by May 7 at 2 p.m. with an anticipated contract start date in June 2025.
“Adding Buffalo as a terminal on a Great Lakes cruise itinerary is a tremendous opportunity for the City of Buffalo and Western New York,” Governor Hochul said. “Buffalo is well-positioned as a destination in the growing industry, allowing the city and region to benefit from the increased visitors and resulting positive economic impact. New York State is committed to providing the facilities needed to accommodate the cruise operations and ensure smooth sailing ahead.”
The project aims to reimagine the current site for cruise ship docking for both domestic and international travel. Site improvements will include upgrades to seawall shoring; site remediation; improved public access; landscaping, drainage, lighting, and a small parking lot. The scope of work also includes design of one or two small, single-story buildings for customs processing and public restroom facilities.
In 2024, ECHDC completed a Market Demand Study for the cruise ship industry in Buffalo, that focused on the potential and viability for Buffalo to become a destination for cruise lines already touring the Great Lakes. The study also analyzed six potential locations along the Buffalo waterfront that could support cruise operations. The recommended site for this is at the south berth space of Slip 2, near the former location of the Pier Restaurant that was demolished in 2007. ECHDC used this study to initiate conversations with several Great Lakes cruise lines to bolster the city’s potential as a cruise destination. Based on these conversations, ECHDC is issuing this RFP for a consultant to work with ECHDC and various state, federal, and local agencies to develop a comprehensive site plan to support cruise operations. The building and site design will be reflective of the aesthetic created by previous ECHDC projects at the nearby Bell Slip and Wilkeson Pointe.
While a small subset of the cruise ship industry, the Great Lakes cruise sector has nearly tripled its total passenger numbers—from 9,000 in 2010 to more than 25,000 in 2023. The post-COVID growth of the industry is expected to continue, with larger numbers of passengers, vessels, revenues, and related activities in Great Lakes port cities. Cleveland, Milwaukee, Duluth, Detroit, and other coastal cities are already taking advantage of these upward trends. Buffalo’s strategic position at the southern end of the Welland Canal – the only access point for cruise ships into the Great Lakes from the St. Lawrence River – coupled with its unique attractions and assets make the destination a logical stopover point. Given Buffalo’s variety of tourist sites, airports, hotels, and access to consumers within a four- to six-hour drive, the community has in place the primary destination infrastructure necessary to support homeport status, meaning starting or ending a cruise itinerary, activities as well.
Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation Chairperson Joan Kesner said, “With a cruise terminal on the Outer Harbor, Buffalo can play an important and growing role as a unique, seasonal destination for small vessels across the industry, whether luxury, expedition, or niche market cruises. Governor Hochul recognizes the tremendous cultural, architectural, and other assets our region offers and now we’re ready to share them with the rest of the world.”
Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Buffalo offers diverse cultural and historical experiences, making it ideal for cruise operations and their customers on the Great Lakes. As we take the first step toward establishing a cruise terminal on the Outer Harbor, we are also taking steps toward contributing to economic development in a new industry for Western New York by the associated boost in local tourism that will support local businesses and create new jobs.”
The Buffalo waterfront and its development are priorities for Governor Hochul, with today’s announcement being the latest milestone in a series of her Buffalo waterfront announcements. Construction on the Wilkeson Pointe Improvement Project on the Outer Harbor and the Gateway Building at Canalside are slated to be complete by Memorial Day with the Waterway of Change exhibit at the Longshed also opening then. The Slip 2 ecosystem restoration continues this summer with the North Aud Block and Terminal B water’s edge project in the planning phase. Terminal B and the Bell Slip were completed last year.
State Senator April Baskin said, “I applaud Governor Hochul for her forward thinking in developing a cruise terminal on the Outer Harbor and the economic impact it will undoubtedly have on tourism in Western New York. I value any economic development, and this project is uniquely positioned to highlight the beautiful assets only our area can tout.”
Assemblymember Jon D. Rivera said, “Reimagining Buffalo’s Outer Harbor to allow for Great Lakes Cruises will give locals and visitors the chance to explore what makes Western New York special. This project is yet another way we can chart our own course using natural resources to expand the blue economy in Buffalo and along other port cities. I look forward to seeing this site grow into another tourism asset on our Great Lakes thanks to the leadership of Governor Hochul.”
Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz said, “It makes tremendous sense to include Buffalo as a port on the Great Lakes Cruise schedule and is another way that Erie County can showcase all that it has to offer. This plan will bring more visitors to our area to enjoy our restaurants, sports teams, shopping and recreation. I thank Governor Hochul for moving this plan forward and I look forward to cruise ships full of tourists arriving here.”
City of Buffalo Mayor Christopher P. Scanlon said, “Buffalo has long been known for its waterfront and its revitalization, and today’s announcement by Governor Hochul marks an exciting new chapter in how we can connect that asset to tourism and economic development. The potential to welcome Great Lakes cruises to Buffalo not only elevates our city as a premier destination, but also opens the door to new jobs, businesses, and investment opportunities. I thank Governor Hochul and the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation for their continued commitment to revitalizing our waterfront.”
About Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation
As a subsidiary of ESD, the state’s chief economic development agency, ECHDC supports and promotes the creation of infrastructure and public activities at Canalside, the Ohio Street corridor and the Outer Harbor that is attracting critical mass, private investment and enhance the enjoyment of the waterfront for residents and tourists in Western New York. Its vision is to revitalize Western New York’s waterfront and restore economic growth to Buffalo based on the region’s legacy of pride, urban significance, and natural beauty.
ECHDC is governed by a nine-member board consisting of seven voting directors and two non-voting, ex-officio directors. The seven voting directors are recommended by the New York State Governor and are appointed by the New York State Urban Development Corporation d/b/a ESD as sole shareholder of ECHDC. The two non-voting, ex-officio director positions are held by the Erie County Executive and the City of Buffalo Mayor.
Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
IRMINGHAM, Ala. – A federal grand jury in the Northern District of Alabama has charged 15 individuals with immigration crimes, announced U.S. Attorney Prim Escalona.
The following defendants were indicted for illegally reentering the United States after having previously been deported:
Salvador Rodriguez-Villa, of Mexico;
Noel Paz-Diaz, 34, of Guatemala;
Christian Mendoza-Salas, 29, of Mexico;
Isidro Gutierrez Gabriel, 35, of Guatemala;
Mateo Pascual-Francisco, 40, of Guatemala;
Tomas Naz-Gonzalez, 27, of Guatemala;
Marco Julio Agustin-Miranda, 27, of Guatemala;
Rafael Juan-Francisco, 35, of Guatemala;
Jose Rigoberto Acosta-Calles, 36, of El Salvador;
Elmer Geovany Sarmiento-Sifrian, 32, of Honduras;
The following defendants were charged with being an alien in possession of a firearm:
Elmer David Hernandez-Garcia, 39, of Honduras;
Christian Ivan Sanchez, 36, of Mexico;
Jhoan Jesus Rodriguez-Perez, 21, of Mexico;
Orli Umberto Marquez-Cordon, 24, of Mexico;
Maria Monserrat de Jesus Bautista-Hernandez, 41, of Mexico, has been charged with illegal re-entry after a prior removal and for being an alien in possession of a firearm.
These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). Operation Take Back America partners, Homeland Security Investigations – Atlanta, U.S. Postal Inspection Service – Houston Division, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Nashville Field Division, investigated these cases.
An indictment contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The quasicrystals found in this study form the corners of 20-sided shape called an icosahedron. To prove that he found an icosahedron, Andrew Iams had to rotate the sample under his microscope to show that it had fivefold, threefold and twofold rotational symmetry. This animation shows these three views of an icosahedron, as well as what the crystals look like under the microscope from the three different angles.
Credit: J. Wang/NIST
Andrew Iams saw something strange while looking through his electron microscope. He was examining a sliver of a new aluminum alloy at the atomic scale, searching for the key to its strength, when he noticed that the atoms were arranged in an extremely unusual pattern. “That’s when I started to get excited,” said Iams, a materials research engineer, “because I thought I might be looking at a quasicrystal.”
Not only did he find quasicrystals in this aluminum alloy, but he and his colleagues at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) found that these quasicrystals also make it stronger. They published their findings in the Journal of Alloys and Compounds.
The alloy formed under the extreme conditions of metal 3D printing, a new way to make metal parts. Understanding this aluminum on the atomic scale will enable a whole new category of 3D-printed parts such as airplane components, heat exchangers and car chassis. It will also open the door to research on new aluminum alloys that use quasicrystals for strength.
What Are Quasicrystals?
Quasicrystals are like ordinary crystals but with a few key differences.
A traditional crystal is any solid made of atoms or molecules in repeating patterns. Table salt is a common crystal, for example. Salt’s atoms connect to make cubes, and those microscopic cubes connect to form bigger cubes that are large enough to see with the naked eye.
This Penrose tile pattern has some of the same properties as quasicrystals. Even though the image is made of a few identical basic shapes, the overall pattern never repeats.
Credit: elfinadesign/Shutterstock
There are only 230 possible ways for atoms to form repeating crystal patterns. Quasicrystals don’t fit into any of them. Their unique shape lets them form a pattern that fills the space, but never repeats.
Dan Shechtman, a materials scientist at Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, discovered quasicrystals while on sabbatical at NIST in the 1980s. Many scientists at the time thought his research was flawed because the new crystal shapes he found weren’t possible under the normal rules for crystals. But through careful research, Shechtman proved beyond a doubt that this new type of crystal existed, revolutionizing the science of crystallography and winning the chemistry Nobel Prize in 2011.
Working in the same building as Shechtman decades later, Andrew Iams found his own quasicrystals in 3D-printed aluminum.
How Does Metal 3D Printing Work?
There are a few different ways to 3D-print metals, but the most common is called “powder bed fusion.” It works like this: Metal powder is spread evenly in a thin layer. Then a powerful laser moves over the powder, melting it together. After the first layer is finished, a new layer of powder is spread on top and the process repeats. One layer at a time, the laser melts the powder into a solid shape.
NIST’s 3D Printer Testbed
This 3D printer builds objects by melting a fine metal powder with a laser. First, the surface is coated with metal powder. Then, a high-power laser melts that powder in a particular pattern. The process is repeated hundreds or thousands of times, building the metal piece layer by layer. Finally, when the object is complete, the excess powder is removed. Credit: Jennifer Lauren Lee/NIST
3D printing creates shapes that would be impossible with any other method. For example, in 2015 GE designed fuel nozzles for airplane engines that could only be made with metal 3D printing. The new nozzle was a huge improvement. Its complex shape came out of the printer as a single lightweight part. In contrast, the previous version had to be assembled from 20 separate pieces and was 25% heavier. To date, GE has printed tens of thousands of these fuel nozzles, showing that metal 3D printing can be commercially successful.
One of the limitations of metal 3D printing is that it only works with a handful of metals. “High-strength aluminum alloys are almost impossible to print,” says NIST physicist Fan Zhang, a co-author on the paper. “They tend to develop cracks, which make them unusable.”
Why Is It Hard to Print Aluminum?
Normal aluminum melts at temperatures of around 700 degrees C. The lasers in a 3D printer must raise the temperature much, much higher: past the metal’s boiling point, 2,470 degrees C. This changes a lot of the properties of the metal, particularly since aluminum heats up and cools down faster than other metals.
In 2017, a team at HRL Laboratories, based in California, and UC Santa Barbara discovered a high-strength aluminum alloy that could be 3D printed. They found that adding zirconium to the aluminum powder prevented the 3D-printed parts from cracking, resulting in a strong alloy.
The NIST researchers set out to understand this new, commercially available 3D-printed aluminum-zirconium alloy on the atomic scale. “In order to trust this new metal enough to use in critical components such as military aircraft parts, we need a deep understanding of how the atoms fit together,” said Zhang.
The NIST team wanted to know what made this metal so strong. Part of the answer, it turned out, was quasicrystals.
How Do Quasicrystals Make Aluminum Stronger?
In metals, perfect crystals are weak. The regular patterns of perfect crystals make it easier for the atoms to slip past each other. When that happens, the metal bends, stretches or breaks. Quasicrystals break up the regular pattern of the aluminum crystals, causing defects that make the metal stronger.
Electron microscope image of the aluminum alloy from the study. The light gray areas are sections of traditional crystals within the aluminum alloy, while the black dots are sections where NIST found quasicrystals. Meandering black lines emanate from the quasicrystal sections. These lines are defects that break up the pattern of traditional crystals throughout the alloy, increasing its strength.
Credit: NIST
The Measurement Science Behind Identifying a Quasicrystal
When Iams looked at the crystals from just the right angle, he saw that they had fivefold rotational symmetry. That means there are five ways to rotate the crystal around an axis so that it looks the same.
“Fivefold symmetry is very rare. That was the telltale sign that we might have a quasicrystal,” said Iams. “But we couldn’t completely convince ourselves until we got the measurements right.” To confirm they had a quasicrystal, Iams had to carefully rotate the crystal under the microscope and show that it also had threefold symmetry and twofold symmetry from two different angles.
“Now that we have this finding, I think it will open up a new approach to alloy design,” says Zhang. “We’ve shown that quasicrystals can make aluminum stronger. Now people might try to create them intentionally in future alloys.”
Paper: A.D. Iams, J.S. Weaver, B.M. Lane, L.A. Giannuzzi, F. Yi, D.L. LaPlant, J.H. Martin and F. Zhang. Microstructural Features and Metastable Phase Formation in a High-Strength Aluminum Alloy Fabricated Using Additive Manufacturing. Journal of Alloys and Compounds. Published online April 7, 2025. DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2025.180281
The president of Peru, Dina Boluarte, declared a state of emergency in the capital city, Lima, on March 18. The decree, which came amid a wave of violence, gives the police and military full control of the security situation there for a period of 30 days.
Peru is no stranger to emergencies of this kind. Only last year, in September 2024, Boluarte’s government declared a 60-day state of emergency in 12 districts of the capital. The rationale for declaring the emergency now, as in the past, remains the same: to address the threat posed by criminal gangs.
The latest emergency was prompted by the brazen killing of Paul Flores, the popular 39-year-old lead singer of a Peruvian band called Armonia 10. Flores was shot dead by assailants who attacked a bus he was riding in with bandmates and attempted to extort money from them as they left a concert.
Peru has seen a spate of killings, violent extortion and attacks on public places in recent months. According to the Peruvian police, there were 459 killings across the country between January 1 and March 16, and over 1,900 reports of extortion in January alone.
Many Peruvians point to the fact that the extortion and homicide racket may be far more severe than official statistics suggest. Plenty of those affected by criminality do not report their misfortune for fears of reprisal by criminal gangs.
On March 21, a few days after the state of emergency in Lima was declared, Peru’s Congress voted to remove the interior minister, Juan José Santiváñez, from office. In a post on X, they said Santiváñez must take responsibility for his “inability to address the wave of citizen insecurity the country is facing”.
Peru serves as a hotspot for sexual slavery, illegal organ trafficking and labour exploitation. In addition, it is also the second-largest producer of cocaine in the world.
Over 95,000 hectares of land was dedicated to coca cultivation in the country in 2023 – an 18% increase from the figure recorded in 2021. This expansion has been driven primarily by cultivation in Peru’s indigenous territories and protected areas. Indigenous territories now account for 20% of all the coca cultivated in Peru.
These lucrative operations are led by local crime organisations, often working in collusion with corrupt public officials and foreign partners. According to Organized Crime Index, these criminal networks include police officers and migration officials who work at control points on the borders and facilitate illegal activities.
The logistics of Peru’s cocaine trade are often also managed by Serbian, Mexican and Colombian mafias. From Peru, cocaine goes through Mexico for the US market and Brazil for the European market. Some shipments are sent directly to Oceania and Japan.
Criminal governance
Peru’s perpetual political instability, weak criminal justice system and the poor presence of the state in its outlying territories allow various criminal groups to engage in their nefarious trade.
Two former Peruvian presidents have faced corruption charges. One of them, Alejandro Toledo, was sentenced to 20 years in jail for corruption in 2024. The authorities accused Toledo of accepting US$35 million (£27 million) in bribes from Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht to allow the company to build a highway in Peru.
Another controversial former president, Alberto Fujimori, had been in prison for 16 years for human rights abuses and corruption after being extradited from Chile in 2007. He was released in 2023 on humanitarian grounds and died the following year.
Meanwhile, prosecutors in Peru are seeking a 34-year sentence for ex-president Pedro Castillo, who was removed from office and arrested after his attempt to dissolve Congress in late 2022 and rule by decree. Castillo has described his trial as “politicised” and has refused legal counsel provided by the judicial system.
So many former Peruvian presidents have been accused of crimes that the country has designated a small jail on the outskirts of Lima specifically to house them. As Colombia-based journalist John Otis put it in a radio interview in 2023, the Barbadillo prison not only serves as a symbol of corruption, but also a testimony to political dysfunction in the country.
The spread of economic activities operating outside the law, such as illegal gold mining, has emboldened organised crime in Peru. Instances of politicians and criminals working together to line their pockets are not uncommon.
A good example is César Álvarez, the governor of the resource-rich Áncash region of western Peru. Nicknamed “the beast” by the citizens of the province because of his reputation for political violence, Álvarez allegedly operated with impunity by asserting his control through an elaborate network of government institutions and criminal organisations.
According to an indictment by Peru’s public prosecutor’s office, Álvarez extorted, threatened and ordered the assassination of political adversaries while in office between 2007 and 2014. Álvarez, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing, was sentenced to eight years and three months in prison in 2019.
When the government in Lima last declared an emergency in parts of the capital in 2024, the country’s federation of business associations stated: “We live under siege from organised crime which has taken control of the country in the alarming absence of the state”.
This statement appears prophetic. Peru, it appears, is losing the battle against organised crime.
Amalendu Misra is a recipient of Nuffield Foundation and British Academy Fellowships.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-22)
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today reintroduced legislation to designate the Finger Lakes Region as a National Heritage Area in order to support conservation, recreation, and economic development in the region.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) led this legislation in the Senate.
National Heritage Areas (NHA) are established by Congress to “recognize a region’s natural, cultural, or historic significance.” Unlike national parks, NHAs are large, populated, lived-in areas that collaborate with communities to connect heritage with local interests and needs. The counties included in the legislation are Cayuga, Chemung, Cortland, Livingston, Monroe, Onondaga, Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins, Wayne, and Yates.
“The Finger Lakes Region is known for its rich, robust history and natural beauty, making it an ideal candidate to become a National Heritage Area,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “The Finger Lakes Region is a landmark of NY-24, and establishing this area as an NHA will preserve the region’s history and stories for generations to come. It’s a privilege to reintroduce this legislation, and I am eager to see our region receive the recognition it deserves.”
OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced a multistate settlement in principle with pharmaceutical company Mylan Inc. (Mylan) that will deliver up to $335 million nationwide to help combat the opioid crisis. Mylan, which is now a part of Viatris, has manufactured and sold a variety of opioids since 2005, including generic fentanyl patches, oxycodone, hydrocodone, and buprenorphine products. The attorneys general allege Mylan deceptively promoted its products as less prone to abuse despite knowing for years that many of its opioid products — particularly its fentanyl patches — were actually more vulnerable to abuse. The company fueled the opioid crisis by marketing directly to doctors, leading to dangerous overprescribing and diversion of its opioids into the illegal drug market.
“Companies and individuals who fueled the opioid crisis must be held accountable. With today’s announcement, the California Department of Justice is continuing to deliver results,” said Attorney General Bonta. “The opioid crisis does not distinguish between Democrats or Republicans – it has affected people from all walks of life. I’m proud to have worked on this with a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general.”
Under the multistate settlement in principle, Mylan will pay up to $335 million to participating states over nine years.
This settlement in principle was negotiated by the attorneys general of California, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, and Virginia in coordination with the attorneys general of Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, and Vermont.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA)
Each year, the U.S. House of Representatives sponsors the Congressional Art Competition for high school students. This competition is an exciting way for a student from our region to represent the Ninth Congressional District in Washington. The Artistic Discovery Contest is open to all high school students in the Ninth District.
The chosen theme for 2025 is “Commemorating Virginia’s Contribution to the American Revolution.” Interested students must submit a photograph of their original artwork to either my Christiansburg or Abingdon office by 5:00 pm on Monday, April 28 for consideration. Each entry must be accompanied by a completed student information release form to qualify. The 2025 student information release form can be found at the bottom of this page.
The overall winner of our district’s competition will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol and will be invited to Washington for a reception. The second and third place selections will be displayed in my Christiansburg and Abingdon offices.
Art works entered in the contest may be up to 26 inches by 26 inches (including the frame) and may be up to 4 inches in depth. Artwork must be two-dimensional and cannot weigh more than 15 pounds. The work may be:
Paintings: oil, acrylics, watercolor, etc.
Drawings: colored pencil, pencil, ink, marker, pastels, charcoal (It is recommended that charcoal and pastel drawings be fixed)
Collages: must be two dimensional
Prints: lithographs, silkscreen, block prints
Mixed Media: use of more than two mediums such as pencil, ink, watercolor, etc.
Computer-generated art
Photographs
All entries must be an original in concept, design and execution.
The Congressional Art Competition began in 1982 to provide an opportunity for members of Congress to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of their young constituents. Since then, over 650,000 high school students have been involved with the nationwide competition.
Rishi Nair of Blacksburg High School won the 2024 Congressional Art Competition in Virginia’s Ninth Congressional District. His artwork is entitled ‘Mabry Mill.’
If you would like more information on the annual Congressional Art Competition, please contact my Abingdon office at (276) 525-1405 or visit the Congressional Art Competition website.
Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 2
Media Advisory Monday, April 7, 2025
NIH findings could lead to more efficient monitoring of twin pregnancies. What Twins—smaller at birth, on average, than singletons—start out smaller in pregnancy than was previously known, according to a study by researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The ultrasound study revealed that twins have less fat tissue and less muscle mass than singletons beginning at 15 weeks of pregnancy. If results are confirmed by additional research, the findings could provide information to guide physicians in monitoring and managing twin pregnancies. Researchers analyzed data from previous ultrasound studies of fetal development in the uterus. Included in the analysis were 3D ultrasound scans of 2,604 singleton pregnancies and 315 twins. All twin pairs had individual placentas. Twin pairs who shared a placenta were not included in the analysis.r Beginning at 15 weeks, thigh volumes were significantly smaller for twins than singletons. Twins had smaller fat and lean thigh volumes than singletons. They also had a lower thigh fat to lean ratio than singletons, having proportionately 2.7 to 4.2% less fat from 15 to 37 weeks. Previous studies of twin growth in the womb involved 2D ultrasound scans and had documented decreased twin growth relative to singletons only in the early 3rd trimester (28 to 40 weeks). Scientists do not think the twins early small size resulted from increased competition for nutrients as their placentas should have been developed enough to supply needed resources until the third trimester. Rather, they hypothesize that twins’ small size early in pregnancy could be an adaptation to accommodate the need for increased resources of two fetuses later in pregnancy. The study was conducted by Jessica Gleason, Ph.D. and Katherine Grantz, M.D., of NIH’s Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, and their colleagues. It appears in JAMA Pediatrics. Who Jessica Gleason, Ph.D., a perinatal epidemiologist, is available for comment. Article Gleason JL, et al. Fetal body composition in twins and singletons. JAMA Pediatrics. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2025.0116 (2025) About the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD): NICHD leads research and training to understand human development, improve reproductive health, enhance the lives of children and adolescents, and optimize abilities for all. For more information, visit https://www.nichd.nih.gov.
About the National Institutes of Health (NIH): NIH, the nation’s medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit www.nih.gov. NIH…Turning Discovery Into Health® ###
Headline: Governor Stein Announces Council On Student Safety & Well-Being
Governor Stein Announces Council On Student Safety & Well-Being lsaito
Raleigh, NC
Today at Moore Square Magnet Middle School, Governor Josh Stein announced his Advisory Council on Student Safety and Well-Being, co-chaired by Senate Democratic Leader Sydney Batch, Deputy Secretary William “Billy” Lassiter of the Department of Public Safety, and 2024 North Carolina Teacher of the Year Heather Smith.
“North Carolina’s children are our future, and it is crucial that they grow and learn in a safe environment that sets them on the right trajectory to thrive,” said Governor Josh Stein. “I am proud to establish this council of educators, mental health professionals, and law enforcement to identify ways to better keep our classrooms safe and our children healthy.”
“Ensuring the safety of our students is not up for debate — it’s a fundamental responsibility of our state government,” said Democratic Leader Sydney Batch. “Every child in North Carolina deserves the freedom to learn in a secure, supportive environment. I’m proud to co-chair this council and committed to advancing real, enforceable policies that keep our kids safe and our schools strong — and I’m ready to work with anyone willing to get that important work done.”
“Student and school staff security and wellbeing is an essential part of public safety,” said Deputy Secretary of Public Safety William L. Lassiter, who oversees the Division of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. “We must use the tools at our disposal to upgrade the physical infrastructure of our schools and train our school staff how to recognize and respond to the early warning signs that can lead to public safety threats. We know our students must feel safe and have a healthy mental well-being to achieve academically. Working together, we can keep our students and our schools safe.”
“What I’ve seen in my classroom is that if students don’t feel safe, if they are not supported, it’s so much harder for them to learn,” said Teacher of the Year Heather Smith. “Our commitment to giving students the best starts with looking out for their safety and well-being, and I am eager to jump into this work.”
Governor Stein’s advisory council will work across state agencies and with both state and local leaders to propose and implement policies and solutions that will improve student safety and wellbeing. It will advance recommendations, provide guidance to state agencies, work with local communities, and share best practices. The council’s first priority will be working with the General Assembly to support school systems in implementing policies that will make classrooms cell phone-free.
Click here to read Governor Stein’s executive order establishing the Council on Student Safety & Well-Being.
The members of the Advisory Council are as follows:
Senate Democratic Leader Sydney Batch (co-chair)
William L. Lassiter, Deputy Secretary for the Division of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Department of Public Safety (co-chair)
Heather Smith, 2024 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Teacher of the Year (co-chair)
Senator David W. Craven, Jr.
Representative Brian Biggs
Representative Lindsey Prather
Alan Duncan, Vice-Chair of the State Board of Education
Bettina Umstead, Board of Education Member, Durham Public Schools
Sharon Bell, Deputy Director, Division of Child and Family Wellbeing, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
Natalia Botella, Director, Public Protection Section, North Carolina Department of Justice
Dr. Ellen Essick, Section Chief for NC Healthy Schools, Department of Public Instruction
Karen Fairley, Executive Director of Center for Safer Schools, A Division of the State Bureau of Investigation
Anne Goldberg, School Counselor, Alamance-Burlington School System
Tara Hardy, School Social Worker, Craven County Schools
Roger “Chip” Hawley, Director of The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation
Emma Hodson, In-House Counsel, Pitt County Schools
Kristie Howell, Chief Court Counselor-District 8, Division of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, North Carolina Department of Public Safety
Melissa Lassen, BSN, RN, NCSN, Lead School Nurse, Chatham County Schools
Mark McHugh, Director of Safety, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
Dr. Shaneeka Moore-Brown, President, North Carolina Parent Teacher Association
Asia Prince, Director of Court Programs, North Carolina Administrative Offices of the Courts
Deputy Rhyne Rankins, School Resource Officer, Iredell County Sheriff’s Office
Dr. Paul Smokowski, Executive Director, North Carolina Youth Violence Prevention Center
Beckie Spears, Principal, Wilkesboro Elementary School & 2024 Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year
Mary Katherine Stiles, M.A./S.S.P., School Psychologist, Cumberland County Schools
Justice Warren, Assistant Legal Counsel, North Carolina School Boards Association
Julie Cecelia Werry, Scholar Advisor, Morehead-Cain Foundation
Dr. Freddie Williamson, Superintendent of Public Schools of Robeson County
Visit the online open house April 7-18 to comment on the two-boat backup schedule
SEATTLE – Washington State Ferries is updating the backup two-boat Triangle route schedule ahead of the busy summer travel season. The route serves more than 2 million customers each year who travel between West Seattle, Vashon Island and South Kitsap County, via Southworth.
Ferry riders are encouraged to participate in an online open house with the draft schedule to share their input. Customer engagement was essential to developing the draft schedule, thanks to feedback from community members and feedback from WSF crewmembers.
“Since we moved to the two-boat Triangle route schedule in 2020, we’ve heard extensively from customers and crews on the route,” said Jason Rogers, WSF planning manager. “Our customers want more reliable and consistent service that they can count on, and crews need a more realistic schedule to better support that reliability”.
The previous two-boat schedule had not been updated in a decade and was designed for very occasional use during emergencies.
Triangle route schedule update open house information
Details: The online open house is available anytime for the public to visit, review materials and ask questions via the contact form.
Free internet access
Free, temporary internet access is available to those who do not have broadband service in locations throughout the state. To find the nearest Drive-In WiFi Hotspot visit: www.commerce.wa.gov/building-infrastructure/washington-state-drive-in-wifi-hotspots-location-finder/
While WSF is excited to return to three-boat service on the Triangle route this summer, due to ferry and crew availability, there may be times when WSF will need to use a two-boat schedule.
The route will remain on the current two-boat schedule until June 30, when three-boat service starts. Then the “new” two-boat schedule will become the backup schedule in the event of a service reduction.
WSF, a division of the Washington State Department of Transportation, is the largest ferry system in the U.S. and safely and efficiently carries tens of millions of people a year through some of the most majestic scenery in the world. For breaking news and the latest information, follow WSF on X, Facebook and Instagram.
Leonardo DiCaprio’s production company, Appian Way, has partnered with Rhode Island-based production company, Verdi Productions, for the authorized documentary on the life of Rod Serling, most known as the creator, host, narrator and primary writer of The Twilight Zone.
DiCaprio and Chad A. Verdi are producing, along with Jennifer Davisson, Phillip Watson, Michelle Verdi, Chad Verdi Jr., Paul Luba and Blake J. Harris. The documentary is authorized by Serling’s two daughters, Jodi Serling and Anne Serling, who are serving as Executive Producers along with Sera Verdi and Anthony Gudas. Jonah Tulis is directing and penned the screenplay. Tom DeNucci is portraying Rod Serling for the reenactments of the documentary. Principal photography wrapped in Rhode Island, taking place in East Greenwich, Providence and Wakefield.
In the 1950s, the first episode of The Twilight Zone aired � it was a show that would later be heralded as one of the greatest television programs of all time. It was a genre-bending show unlike anything television had ever seen. Through the lens of these fantastical stories, the show tackled the social and political issues of the times like war, racism and the dangers of technology. The show was not simply great primetime entertainment, but rather, a cultural phenomenon of tales of morality with thought-provoking social commentary. And behind it all was one man, the creator and iconic host, Rod Serling. This documentary is an intimate portrait of Serling that explores the life and work of this visionary writer as he made his iconic television programs and how he helped change the face of television forever. While filming in Rhode Island, magnificent recreations of Serling’s life were shot, mirroring the same cinematic black and white style of The Twilight Zone.
Verdi Productions President, Chad A. Verdi, stated “We are enthusiastic to finish another successful shoot with Appian Way in Rhode Island – our second co-production with them in the span of three months. Our company’s goal is to keep creating jobs in Rhode Island with high profile and meaningful projects that our small state can be proud of.” Verdi added, “We expect to announce our third collaboration with Leo and the Appian Way team very soon.”
Steven Feinberg, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Film & Television Office, stated, “Prolific, creative and insightful, Rod Serling was a provocative storyteller whose narratives such as “The Twilight Zone” series and the original “Planet of the Apes” feature film impacted my life along with millions of others. Rod Serling has and always will be an inspiration. The Rhode Island film and t.v. community is honored to host our friends, Chad Verdi and Verdi Productions, along with Leonardo DiCaprio, Appian Way, and the Serling Family, as they create a much-needed documentary about the life and unique talents of the master storyteller Rod Serling. We know it will be a special event and we could not be prouder to be part of it!”
This documentary marks the second Rhode Island production that Chad A. Verdi & Verdi Productions have co-produced with Leonardo DiCaprio & Appian Way in 2025. The first was Sleepwalker, a narrative psychological thriller which starred Hayden Panettiere, Beverly D’Angelo, Justin Chatwin, Mischa Barton and Lori Tan Chinn. Outside of their work with Appian Way, Verdi Productions recently produced The Roaring Game in Rhode Island, a sports comedy which starred Mickey Rourke, Darin Brooks, Fivel Stewart, Justin Chatwin, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Rob Gronkowski and William Forsythe ### The Rhode Island Film & TV Office is a government agency under the umbrella of the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA)
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17)
WASHINGTON, DC – The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), representing more than 100 million Americans over the age of 50, recently endorsed Congressmen Eric Sorensen (IL-17) and Juan Ciscomani’s (AZ-6) Quashing Unwanted and Interruptive Electronic Telecommunications (QUIET) Act. The QUIET Act would require robocallers to disclose when they use artificial intelligence (AI) technology and increase penalties for scammers who use AI to impersonate individuals.
He reintroduced the legislation earlier this year with Congressman Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06).
“Endless robocalls are more than just annoying and frustrating, they can cause seniors to lose entire life savings when malicious scammers take advantage of new technology to impersonate their loved ones, their bank, or the government,” said Congressman Eric Sorensen. “I’m glad to have a partner in the AARP to help pass my bipartisan legislation that puts in place harsher penalties for scammers and protect our seniors from being unfairly targeted.”
“The advancement of technology combined with the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) have transformed robocalls from an occasional nuisance into a powerful tool used by scammers and other bad actors to defraud Arizonans, particularly seniors, out of their hard-earned money,” said Congressman Juan Ciscomani. “I know my constituents are fed up, which is why I am proud to partner with the Rep. Sorensen and the AARP on this critical legislation to require robocallers to disclose the use of AI, cut down on fraudulent calls, and protect seniors in my district from malicious scams like these.”
“We appreciate your leadership in protecting consumers from the growing threat of AI-driven scams and in strengthening safeguards against fraudulent robocalls,” said Bill Sweeney, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs at the AARP. “With AI’s growing ability to convincingly mimic voices and craft deceptive messages, the stakes have never been higher. The QUIET Act can help combat these deceptive tactics. The alarmingly high levels of fraud against older adults underscore that stronger protections are urgently needed.”
The QUIET Act increases penalties for violators who use AI to impersonate individuals or organizations with the intent to defraud, cause harm, or wrongfully obtain anything of value. This measure strengthens protections for seniors and vulnerable communities who are often the biggest targets of these scams.
Since coming to Congress, Sorensen has made fighting scam robocalls and robotexts a priority. Last Congress, he led a bipartisan effort urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to outline its plans to combat these scams, which disproportionately target older Americans.
Sorensen’s leadership on this issue underscores his commitment to keeping Illinois families safe from fraud and ensuring AI is not used as a tool to exploit hardworking people.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Randy Feenstra (IA-04)
HULL, IOWA – Today, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Hull) announced that his office will host a 4th District Military Academy Day for Iowa students – 8th grade through 12th grade – interested in applying to one of our nation’s five military academies on Wednesday April 23rd in Fort Dodge. Representatives from all five academies will be present to answer questions and provide advice.
The five academies are the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, and the U.S. Air Force Academy.
“I encourage any student from 8th grade through 12th grade interested in attending one of our nation’s five military academies to stop by our 4th District Military Academy Day in Fort Dodge on Wednesday April 23rd. This is a unique opportunity to meet with representatives from all five academies, get questions answered, and learn more about the application process,” said Rep. Feenstra. “Our military is the strongest in the world because of the brave Americans who answer the call to serve. I know that this will be a helpful and informative forum for young Iowans who want to attend a military academy.”
Feenstra’s 4th District Military Academy Day will be held at Iowa Central Community College in the Triton Café Boardroom on Wednesday April 23, 2025 from 5:00 PM CT to 7:00 PM CT. The address is One Triton Circle Fort Dodge, IA 50501.
For more information, please contact Feenstra’s office at 202-225-4426.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
Joint statement at the 58th Session of the UN Commission on Population and Development
Joint statement on the 58th Session of the UN Commission on Population and Development delivered by Sierra Leone on Monday 7 April 2025, on behalf of Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Estonia, Eswatini, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guinea, Honduras, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Samoa, San Marino, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tunisia, Tuvalu, Ukraine, Uruguay, Zambia and the United Kingdom.
We are making this collective statement to emphasise the urgent need for action to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3. Health is a human right and a foundation of sustainable development, driving economic growth, social cohesion, and individual dignity.
Over the past decades, significant progress has been made in many areas of health. We have seen a reduction in maternal and child mortality, expanded access to modern contraceptive methods as well as maternal and newborn medicines and commodities, improvements in adolescent health and education, addressing sexually transmitted diseases including HIV, and a decline in child and early forced marriages. These achievements give us hope for a healthier future.
However, significant challenges persist, and the urgent need for equal access to health services and opportunities for healthy lives remains out of reach for many.
Health inequalities stemming from complex, interrelated factors such as economic disparities, social exclusion, significant financial hardship, discrimination, and unequal access to resources, has a profound impact on individuals and communities. These inequalities manifest in poor health outcomes, lower life expectancy, reduced household income, and weaker national economic growth potential. Income inequality exacerbates vulnerabilities, limiting access to health services in low-income countries and disadvantaged communities. Social disparities rooted in gender, race, age, class, religion, and ethnicity perpetuate stigma, violence, and adverse health determinants.
Economic disparities within and among countries remain significant, impacting the lives of many individuals. Far too many people are unable to access essential health services or are forced to forgo care due to unaffordability. Rising out-of-pocket health costs are pushing millions into poverty, hindering the realisation of Universal Health Coverage. Conflicts and climate change are straining health systems and the health workforce, contributing to stagnating maternal mortality rates, growing mental health challenges, and the inability of health systems to cope with the rise of non-communicable diseases.
Equitable, inclusive, and resilient health systems are essential to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being. It is imperative to prioritize universally accessible, quality, and comprehensive primary healthcare services. Sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights must enable individuals to make free and informed decisions about their health and their lives. Addressing the social determinants of health – such as poverty, malnutrition, education, water and sanitation, and gender inequality – is critical for achieving inclusive economic growth that strengthens and benefits all of society.
The health and well-being of adolescents and youth also demands greater attention – they require better access to health services, education, and information that enable them to make informed decisions about their lives.
Investing in health, particularly sexual and reproductive health, is not just a matter of well-being, but also a powerful driver of economic growth. UNFPA estimates that allocating an additional $79 billion by 2030 to expand maternal health and family planning services could yield $660 billion in economic benefits by 2050—preventing 400 million unplanned pregnancies, 1 million maternal deaths, 6 million stillbirths, and 4 million newborn deaths, while also enhancing workforce participation and economic productivity (UNFPA, 2022). Similarly, closing the women’s health gap more broadly could further accelerate economic progress, with the World Economic Forum projecting a potential boost of at least $1 trillion annually to the global economy by 2040.
Greater investments in health infrastructure, workforce capacity, and innovative solutions like digital health can improve service delivery and expand access to services. Strengthening and expanding the global health workforce is at the heart of this. We must address health workforce shortages, ensure equitable distribution, enhance training and pay attention to sustainable retention strategies.
It is vital that we, as policymakers, health organizations, and civil society, address disparities within and among countries, ensuring that people in vulnerable situations, including women, children, older persons, migrants, people with disabilities, and those in extreme poverty, have access to quality, comprehensive health services without financial hardship and discrimination. Our role in promoting responsive health systems that cater to the unique needs of at-risk individuals are key to sustainable and inclusive progress.
A healthier population is central to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The ICPD’s Programme of Action has guided countries toward inclusive, equitable policies advancing health and gender equality. By strengthening health systems and addressing inequalities, we can work toward a world where all people can live healthy, productive and fulfilling lives.
REVERE, Mass. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement apprehended an illegally present Guatemalan national charged with assault and battery family member and assault and battery on a child with injury. Officers with ICE Boston arrested Cosme De Leon-Barrios, 46, in Revere, Jan. 27.
“Cosme De Leon-Barrios is charged with brutally assaulting a child with an injury in our Massachusetts community,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde. “He represents a significant threat to the residents of New England that ICE Boston will not tolerate. We stand committed to our mission of prioritizing public safety by arresting and removing illegal alien threats to our neighbors.”
De Leon-Barrios illegally entered the United States on an unknown date, at an unknown location, and without being inspected, admitted, or paroled by a U.S. immigration official.
Officers with the Revere Police Department arrested De Leon-Barrios, Jan. 27, and charged him with assault and battery family member and assault and battery on a child with injury.
Officers with ICE Boston arrested De Leon-Barrios following his release from local custody. De Leon-Barrios remains in ICE custody.
Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.
Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in our communities on X: @EROBoston
Landsat Collection 2 data has been available ‘in the cloud’ since 2020 — but what does that mean to you as a user? If you are unsure, an upcoming webinar will explain everything you need to know to confidently work with Landsat data in the cloud.
Saskatchewan will promote and celebrate National Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Month (NOTDAM) this April with a variety of activities, as well as commemorating Green Shirt Day (GSD) on April 7 to honor Logan Boulet, who died in the Humboldt Broncos bus crash and whose legacy inspired nearly 150,000 Canadians to register as organ donors.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority’s Organ Donation Program has seen a remarkable 75 per cent increase in deceased organ donors in the 2023 calendar year compared to the previous year. According to the latest report from the Canadian Institute for Health Information, for the first time ever, Saskatchewan has achieved the highest rate of deceased organ donors in the entire country, with 28.9 donors per million population.
“This is a remarkable milestone, considering that in 2014, the rate was just 7.2 donors per million,” Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill said. “It is a testament to the growing awareness Saskatchewan residents have of organ and tissue donation and their commitment to saving lives. Increased participation in events like Green Shirt Day and the illumination of landmarks in green reflect the province’s dedication to this vital cause.”
The Government of Saskatchewan has committed increased funding to enhance kidney health across the province. The 2025-26 Budget has allocated an additional $319,000 to the Saskatchewan Heath Authority (SHA) Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplant program in ongoing support for staff who are essential to the program’s continued success. This budget also includes a significant investment of nearly $4.3 million to strengthen kidney health programs, with a focus on expanding and stabilizing dialysis services across the province. This funding will support the addition of nearly 30 full-time staff in Regina, Saskatoon and five rural locations. The allocation of these positions will help expand services at the Meadow Lake, North Battleford, and Fort Qu’Appelle dialysis units, while also elevating existing operations in Saskatoon, Tisdale, Moose Jaw and Regina. These enhancements help to ensure kidney patients receive timely, high-quality care, improving access to essential services throughout the province.
“We honour the incredible work of our organ transplant and donation physicians, along with our dedicated health care teams, through efforts that raise awareness about the importance of organ and tissue donation,” Cockrill said. “Choosing to register as an organ and tissue donor, or as a living donor, is an act of great generosity. We urge everyone to have a conversation with their loved ones about their decision to become a donor and join our provincial registry.”
On Monday, April 7, Members of the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly will wear green in support of organ and tissue donors (OTD) and share photos using the #GreenShirtDay #LoganBouletEffect hashtags to spread the word on social media.
The T.C. Douglas Building in Regina will be illuminated with green lighting from April 7-11, joining other landmarks across Canada in showing support for this important cause and inspiring new organ and tissue donors.
This year, Saskatchewan is once again participating in the national ‘Great Actions Leave a Mark’ campaign which showcases living organ donors, recipients and physicians from Saskatchewan who will be featured on givelifesask.ca.
View the personal stories of living organ donors and recipients as well as physicians from Saskatchewan at https://www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/health/accessing-health-care-services/organ-and-tissue-donor-registry/personal-stories/great-actions-leave-a-mark.
With a clear understanding of a loved one’s wishes, it is easier for families facing tragedy to make the decision to donate if approached by a Donor Coordinator. One organ donor can save up to eight lives and one tissue donor can help 75 people.
Anyone over the age of 16 is eligible to register their decision to be an organ and tissue donor and request information about the process of becoming a living organ donor through the Saskatchewan Organ and Tissue Donor Registry, available at saskatchewan.ca/residents/health/accessing-health-care-services/organ-and-tissue-donor-registry.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Salud Carbajal (CA-24)
Reps. Carbajal, Brownley, Panetta Demand the Trump Administration Halt its Illegal Plans to Close Facilities Vital to the Central Coast
Washington, April 7, 2025
Representatives Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24), Julia Brownley (D-CA-26), and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19) sent a letter to Acting Administrator Stephen Ehikian of the General Services Administration over the planned illegal closures of crucial facilities across the Central Coast. The planned closures will impact U.S. Department of Interior (DOI), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and United States Forest Service (USFS) facilities in Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties.
“These are critical agencies that help support our local economies’ vitality and the American way of life,”wrote the lawmakers.“Efforts to justify these closures as a measure to help better serve the American people is, at best, disingenuous.”
The full text of the letter is available As Representatives of the Central Coast, we write to demand that you halt planned facility closures at the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the United States Forest Service (USFS) that would impact our constituents in Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties. These are critical agencies that help support our local economies’ vitality and the American people. These indiscriminate closures, done in an arbitrary and capricious manner, are antithetical to our Constitution and values as Americans. Trying to shutter the physical locations for these vital agencies is reflective of the illegal actions undertaken by DOGE to undermine the effectiveness of our government rather than working to improve it to better serve our constituents and the American people. DOI was created by an act of Congress in 1849 and is critical in managing our nation’s cultural heritage— including our public lands, which have been a boon to our local recreational economies. In fact, California is home to the nation’s largest active outdoor industry economy, contributing $73.8 billion in economic spending annually. This is not by coincidence. California is also home to nine national parks—more than any other state. The Central Coast of California alone is home to the Channel Islands National Park and Pinnacles National Park. The positive contribution to our economies is reflected by the fact that in 2023, 36.2 million visitors to California’s national parks spent $3.2 billion, supporting 39,678 jobs. Likewise, NOAA is essential to America’s innovation and economic vitality. Under the Department of Commerce, NOAA is tasked with the critical mission to provide daily weather forecasts, severe storm warnings, and support marine commerce. NOAA’s mission is carried out by some of our nation’s top scientists. The products and cutting-edge research generated by NOAA helps support more than one-third of America’s gross domestic product. Everyday Americans rely on NOAA’s science for basic day-to-day needs like determining the weather. This information is critical for commercial and public safety needs. It is NOAA’s data that helps provide the public with free and lifesaving alerts when Americans are facing natural disasters like hurricanes and wildfires. Furthermore, with more than $59 billion in agricultural sales, California leads the nation as the top producer of agricultural products in the United States. Throughout the world, California was the world’s largest agriculture producer in 2022. Closing USDA offices only serves to harm American families and our farmers who rely on USDA to ensure food safety, manage our natural resources, and support our food supply chains and economic well-being. Finally, the U.S. Forest Service manages 193 million acres of public lands and provides potentially life-saving expertise in fire management. Our constituents are no strangers to wildfires. Fires in the Western United States have only become larger, more destructive and deadly. We cannot pretend that this is not a reality that many Americans are experiencing. Efforts to justify these closures as a measure to help better serve the American people is, at best, disingenuous. As outlined above, these agencies are critical to our nations and region’s wellbeing and help maintain our economic vitality to support our way of life. Again, we demand that you cease these office closures. Further we ask that you let us know under what authority are you acting to close these offices without, at the very least, consultation with Congress—a co-equal branch of government.
Fifty-one Soldiers, Airmen and Marines from Joint Task Force-Bravo conducted PANAMAX-Alpha Phase 0 in Panama, from March 24 to April 4, 2025.
PANAMAX-Alpha is a bilateral exercise between the United States and Panama conducted by JTF-Bravo and supported by the U.S. Southern Command. The exercise allows both countries to work alongside each other to strengthen relationships in security, humanitarian and logistical fields.
Ottawa, Ontario, April 7, 2025 – Today in Ottawa, the Government of Canada held its third briefing to media regarding the actions that it is taking to protect the 45th General Election from foreign interference.
As part of its mandate to monitor the digital information ecosystem during the general election, the SITE Task Force has observed an information operation targeting the 45th general election.
The information operation is taking place on the social media platform WeChat, and was launched by Youli-Youmian (有理儿有面), WeChat’s most popular news account. Intelligence reporting links the Youli-Youmian account to the PRC Chinese Communist Party’s Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission.
The content of this information operation contains stories about the Prime Minister, Liberal Party of Canada leader, and candidate in Nepean, Mark Carney.
The SITE Task Force observed large spikes of coordinated inauthentic behaviour preceding the election campaign, on March 10, and again during the writ period on March 25, 2025. Following increasing levels of engagement on the platform, the Liberal Party representative was briefed about the findings on April 6.
The SITE Task Force will be discussing this issue with Tencent, the developer of WeChat, to raise our concerns.
At this time, the Panel has determined that this activity is not affecting Canada’s ability to have a free and fair election. This case is contained to one platform and has not spread further, nor is it affecting Canadians’ abilities to make an informed decision about their vote.
However, it is important for voters to be aware of this type of activity, and to be cautious with the information they might be seeing both online and offline. Canadians should always evaluate the information landscape critically, take the time to review sources and messaging, and seek out trusted, official sources of information such as from election officials and the Government of Canada. There are tools and resources available to help voters confirm their sources.
This detection and public notice demonstrate that the measures in place to safeguard the 2025 General Election are working:
Canada’s national security agencies are working together to monitor and protect against all possible threats to Canada’s democracy through the SITE Task Force;
the Panel is closely evaluating the information and intelligence provided by the SITE Task Force to determine whether incidents are impacting Canada’s ability to have a free and fair election; and
the Government of Canada is continuing to communicate publicly about emerging issues that may have an impact.
The SITE Task Force will continue to monitor the digital information environment for foreign information manipulation, and to shine a light on foreign interference during Canada’s 45th general election.
Canadians can rest assured that we have strong mechanisms in place to detect, deter, counter, and disrupt foreign interference.
The province’s third mobile wellness bus will open its doors April 9 in Saskatoon, offering residents a new way to access primary health care services.
Saskatoon is the most recent community to benefit from a mobile Community Wellness Bus. The launch is part of the Government of Saskatchewan’s $2.4 million investment for the purchase and retrofitting of three wellness buses, located in Saskatoon, Regina and Prince Albert.
“It is wonderful to see the progress being made with primary care in our province,” Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill said. “Wellness buses provide another avenue for residents to receive the care they need closer to home.”
Community Wellness Buses will provide basic primary care and mental health and addictions services. Services will vary based on population and the needs of the community; not all locations will have the same services, as supports will be customized based on patient needs.
“It’s encouraging to see the positive impact of community health initiatives in our province,” Mental Health and Addictions Minister Lori Carr said. “Mobile clinics are making health care more accessible to vulnerable individuals by bringing essential services directly to residents and contributing to better health care outcomes.”
The Saskatoon bus will be located primarily at 2023 Morse Road (near the old Farmer’s Market) from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday. Clients are encouraged to call 306-380-1000 for up-to-date location and schedule information.
A wellness bus was announced in Prince Albert on March 21 and residents can call 306-940-9943 for location and hours of operation.
The Regina wellness bus has been operational since February 12 and is currently operating Monday to Friday 8:15 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the rear parking lot of the Lawson Aquatic Centre located at 1717 Elphinstone Street.
Services offered by wellness buses may include:
basic health assessments (physicals);
health education;
chronic disease monitoring;
·vaccinations;
take home naloxone (THN) kits and training;
sexually transmitted and blood borne infection (STBBI) point of care testing;
·opioid agonist therapy/withdrawal management;
reproductive health services/supplies;
mental health and addiction assessments and counselling/referrals;
wound care, stitches, routine health care;
referral to housing, social services;
referral to addictions and mental health treatment and services;
connection to culturally relevant Indigenous services (traditional medicine, connection to spiritual services and Elders); and
·other primary health care services.
“Through the Community Wellness Buses, we are fostering respect and compassion by meeting individuals where they are,” Saskatchewan Health Authority Physician Executive for Integrated Saskatoon Health Dr. Mark Fenton said. “By eliminating barriers to care, we ensure that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, has access to compassionate, culturally responsive, and stigma-free support.”
Health care staff on the bus will include a nurse practitioner, a licensed practical nurse, and assessor coordinators who offer referrals to community supports.
Summary The Security and Intelligence Threats to Elections (SITE) Task Force (TF) has detected an information operation targeting the 45th General Election by Chinese social media platform WeChat’s most popular news account Youli-Youmian (有理儿有面), an anonymous blog that does not disclose its provenance.[i] Intelligence reporting links the Youli-Youmian account to the People’s Republic of China (PRC) Chinese Communist Party’s Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission (CPLAC).
The SITE TF assesses that this information operation was intended to influence Canadian-Chinese communities in Canada (i.e. speakers of a Chinese language, such as Mandarin, Cantonese, or Hakka) and looked to mould perceptions about the Prime Minister, Liberal Party of Canada (LPC) Leader and LPC candidate for Nepean, Mark Carney.
The Youli-Youmian account was also responsible for targeting members of Parliament Michael Chong (in June 2023) and Chrystia Freeland (in January 2025).
Content The information operation targeting Mr. Carney is deliberately amplifying narratives in a coordinated and inauthentic way on WeChat, to Chinese audiences, including communities living in Canada. The SITE TF observed large spikes of what is believed to be coordinated inauthentic behaviour on March 10 and 25, 2025.
Specifically, various contrasting narratives were spread on WeChat about Mr. Carney – first amplifying the candidate’s stance with the United States[ii], then targeting his experience and credentials.[iii]
Tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) In February 2023, the China Digital Times reported that social media posts from the Youli-Youmian account are frequently assigned to employees at Chinese state-owned enterprises to amplify to wider audiences as part of their work duties.[iv] The SITE TF assesses that similar coordinated inauthentic activity was likely at play in the targeting of Mr. Carney on March 10 and 25.
The campaign received high levels of user engagement and views, with amplified articles about Mr. Carney receiving between 85,000 and 130,000 interactions, and an estimate of 1 to 3 million views. This level of engagement on WeChat is high when compared with popular state media outlets like the People’s Daily that average only 30,000 interactions per post.
The articles posted on the Youli-Youmian account on March 25 were amplified in a coordinated and inauthentic way by a group of 30 smaller WeChat accounts that boosted the discoverability of the posts. This amplification occurred over the course of four days, keeping narratives about Mr. Carney in algorithmic feeds, albeit at much lower engagement and views.
Background WeChat developer Tencent reports that the platform has over 1.3 billion monthly active users but has not disclosed how many of those users live overseas.[v] Marketing firms in Canada put the number of Canadian WeChat users at over 1 million.[vi] Despite this popularity, WeChat has remained not well understood by information integrity researchers. The PRC is likely aware of this oversight and may carry out these information operations on WeChat to avoid scrutiny.
Malign behaviour from the Youli-Youmian account was first identified by Rapid Response Mechanism Canada (RRM Canada) at Global Affairs Canada during federal by-elections taking place in June 2023.[vii] During that period, analysts noted that the popular WeChat account had targeted Mr. Michael Chong, CPC MP for the Wellington-Halton Hills riding at the time, with false narratives.
The Youli-Youmian entity was also responsible for targeting former LPC leadership candidate Chrystia Freeland in late January 2025.[viii]
Implications
The SITE TF assesses that the objective of the information operation is to influence Chinese communities in Canada in the context of the 45th General Election. The information being spread is inauthentic and coordinated, with the goal to manipulate.
Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) released the below statement following the passage of the Senate’s budget resolution:
“The passage of the Senate’s budget resolution marks a critical step forward in delivering on the promises we’ve made to the American people. This budget paves the way to advance President Trump’s priorities—securing our borders, strengthening our military, cutting taxes for hardworking families, and unleashing American energy. I was proud to vote in favor of this resolution that puts us on a path to greater economic growth, national security, and opportunity for West Virginians and all Americans. I was also proud to vote against uniformed and unserious messaging amendments by Democrats, which continued to show they care more about political points than what is important to Americans,” Senator Capito said.
The Senate’s budget resolution:
Makes important adjustments to allow President Trump’s tax cuts to be made permanent.
Creates savings floor to maximize Republicans’ ability to cut wasteful spending while complying with Senate rules to allow the legislation to pass with a simple majority vote.
Prevents Democrats from using the debt limit to extract liberal priorities as a condition to raising before the 2026 midterm elections.
Adds reconciliation instructions for Senate Committees and preserves the House Committees’ instructions
More children in B.C. will be riding with confidence as the Province helps to expand the Everyone Rides Grades 4-5 program, giving more students hands-on cycling skills while promoting road safety and active transportation.
“Ensuring the safety of our children while promoting active transportation is a priority for our government,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Transportation and Transit. “By expanding this program, we are giving more kids the skills they need to feel excited and confident about riding their bikes, while encouraging healthier and more sustainable commuting choices for families.”
In the 2024-25 school year, the government is investing an additional $821,500 into the program, bringing the total investment to more than $2 million since its inception. As part of the expansion, two new communities, Kamloops and Southeast Kootenays, will be added in spring 2025. This will allow more students to benefit from hands-on cycling education. The program is already delivered in Metro Vancouver, Capital Regional District, Fraser Valley, Kelowna region, Cariboo region and the West Kootenays.
The Everyone Rides Grade 4-5 program was created by HUB Cycling, a non-profit organization with a history of breaking down barriers to cycling. With support from the Province, the program encourages healthy habits, environmental consideration and safety through cycling education.
Since its launch in 2019, the Everyone Rides Grades 4-5 program has introduced road safety, cycling skill development and active transportation infrastructure to more than 40,000 children in B.C. Now in its sixth year, the program continues to equip young riders with the knowledge and confidence they need to bike safely, and will support an estimated 9,000 children in spring 2025.
“HUB Cycling is committed to connecting communities through education,” said Lorraine Smith, manager of Everyone Rides Grade 4-5. “We believe cycling creates happier, healthier communities. Providing students with the opportunity to learn about active transportation and bike safety can play a big role in raising a generation of sustainable-transportation users.”
The Everyone Rides Grades 4-5 program aligns with the government’s commitment to improving road safety and fostering sustainable transportation options for future generations. By encouraging cycling at an early age, the program helps establish lifelong habits that contribute to safer, healthier communities.
Learn More:
For more information about Everyone Rides Grades 4-5 program, visit: https://bikehub.ca/bike-to-school