WASHINGTON D.C. – Today, Representative Val Hoyle (OR-04) announced she will join U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley for townhalls in Curry, Coos, and Douglas Counties on April 15, 2025. Senator Merkley and Representative Hoyle will start the day with a townhall in Brookings, Oregon, at 10 AM, followed by North Bend, Oregon, at 2:30 PM, and end the day in Reedsport, Oregon,at 5:00 PM. Details on each townhall are below, with additional details to be sent to local media by Sen Merkley’s office ahead of each event.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The first stage of work includes construction of a new standalone community sports pavilion. (Artist’s impression)
Construction has begun on the first stage of upgrades to the Phillip District Enclosed Oval.
The first sod has been turned on the oval, located on the corner of Ainsworth Street and Albermarle Place.
The project’s first stage will be a new standalone community sports pavilion. There will also be extra car parking spaces.
Local construction company Projex Building Group will deliver this first stage.
Further work will also begin soon. These will include:
LED sportsground lighting
a new storage shed
general oval upgrade works (new irrigation system and new turf wicket)
refurbishing the existing Michael O’Connor Grandstand.
The project is due to be finished in mid-2025.
The upgrades will meet the growing needs of local sporting groups. Woden Valley residents can also use the oval to meet and play different sports.
The ACT Government engaged with community and sporting groups to develop the designs.
Canberra Royals Rugby is one of many sporting groups that will benefit from the upgrades. “This is a fantastic outcome for all involved,” President of Canberra Royals Rugby Union Club Dr Jim Taylor said.
The upgrades will bring the oval into line with other high-quality enclosed government sportsgrounds across the ACT.
For further details about the project, including details of the community consultation process, visit the YourSay website.
Get ACT news and events delivered straight to your inbox, sign up to our email newsletter:
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The Flute is one of Canberra’s French-style cafes. Image: VisitCanberra
If the 2024 Olympic Games have you wishing you were in Paris enjoying everything France has to offer, you’re not alone. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to get your French fix here in Canberra!
From visiting a delicious French café, to pretending you’re cycling in the Tour de France, find some French inspiration right here.
Visit a French café
Canberra is home to many French cafes that will serve you up a French macaroon, eclair and more! Dive headfirst into sweet treats from the following venues:
Dine at a French Restaurant
Feeling a bit fancy? Enjoy various French meals and dishes at one of Canberra’s French-inspired restaurants. You may still be in Canberra but your taste buds will take a trip to France.
Learn French
Bonjour, au revoir, merci. Did you know over 30 per cent of English words come from the French language? Even if you aren’t planning a trip to France, learning a new language can challenge your mind and even enhance your memory and problem-solving skills.
Alliance Francaise has a French course for all levels and ages. You can book for a one-on-one class, young learners or adult classes all with different levels and experiences.
Canberra Institute of Technology also provides French language courses and will teach you speaking, listening, reading and writing. You’ll learn the basics of French as well as appropriate sociocultural knowledge and sensitivity.
Head to a French art exhibition
Gauguin’s World: Tōna Iho, Tōna Ao is on display at the National Gallery of Australia from 29 June 2024 until 7 October 2024. Explore French Post-Impressionist Paul Gauguin’s art and controversial legacy through talks, programs, films and his collection of works, plus artwork from contemporary artists from the Pacific.
The Alliance Francaise also has a gallery of its own. French, Francophiles and Australian artists alike are invited to display their work on the Alliance’s exhibition rooms.
Enrol in a French cooking class
Learn to whip up delicious French cuisine in the comfort of your own home. You can learn online or in person and wow your friends and family at your next dinner party.
The French Cooking Academy allows you to boost your kitchen skills right at home. You’ll learn about iconic French flavours, authentic recipes and upskill your cooking.
Make your own Tour de France
The Tour de France is iconic in France and would be a great way to see the country, but unfortunately in Canberra you need to watch from afar. Instead, why not create your own Tour de France right here and explore Canberra by bike? There are many bike paths throughout the city with tracks available for beginners all the way to advanced cyclists.
Catch Olympic fever at the AIS
No Paris? No problem. Head over to the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Arena for the full Olympic experience. The AIS will host two watch parties for the Olympic Games, where visitors are invited to relax on a bean bag and watch the Games on the big screens. You can also head along to the AIS Visitor Centre to watch the Channel 9 broadcast of the Games. It will be screening until 11 September.
Tel Aviv, Israel, April 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Charging Robotics Inc. (OTC: CHEV), announced that its affiliate, Revoltz Ltd. (of which Charging Robotics owns 19.9%), has been named a winner of the TAIPEI CYCLE d&i awards 2025, one of the most respected international honors for innovation and design in the bicycle and micro-mobility sector.
Revoltz was selected in the Micro-Mobility category, standing out among more than 150 submissions from 11 countries. The award recognizes Revoltz’s unique approach to sustainable last-mile mobility, with the jury, composed of globally renowned designers and industry experts, commending Revoltz’s blend of advanced engineering, functional design, and urban-focused innovation.
The award-winning product was showcased at the TAIPEI CYCLE exhibition at the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center and was featured in the online galleries of TAIPEI CYCLE.
“Winning the TAIPEI CYCLE d&i award is a proud moment for our team,” said Amir Zaid, CEO and co-founder of Revoltz. “It affirms our mission to reshape urban mobility through thoughtful, performance-driven electric vehicles. We believe design and function go hand-in-hand when it comes to transforming how people and goods move in crowded city environments.”
The Taipei Cycle Show Recognized as one of the leading B2B events in the global cycling industry, the Taipei Cycle Show is expected to host 950 companies from 35 countries, featuring over 3,600 exhibition booths. It continues to serve as a central meeting point for high-end bicycle supply chains, with a strong emphasis on innovation and sustainability.
The show centers around four core themes: Innovation Drive, Green Forward, Cycling Ecosystem, and Smart Cycling. These pillars reflect the industry’s latest developments in technology, environmental responsibility, and evolving cycling culture.
About Revoltz Ltd.
Revoltz Ltd., an affiliate of Charging Robotics Ltd., specializes in the design and manufacture of high-end, mini electric vehicles, bridging the gap between traditional automotive design and emerging micro-mobility solutions. Revoltz is committed to creating cutting-edge designs that revolutionize the micro-mobility sector.
About Charging Robotics
Charging Robotics is developing various automatic wireless charging solutions such as robotic and stationary charging systems for EVs. Robotic solutions are intended to offer the driver the ability to initiate charging by use of a simple smartphone app that instructs an autonomous robot, which navigates under the EV for access and charging capabilities. Our stationary systems offer various charging solutions, including in automatic car parks where the company’s system allowing EVs to charge in places where drivers can’t connect plugs to sockets. For further information, visit: https://www.chargingrobotics.com/
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbour” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other Federal securities laws. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates” and similar expressions or variations of such words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Because such statements deal with future events and are based on the current expectations of Charging Robotics, and its subsidiary Charging Robotics Ltd. (together, the “Company”), they are subject to various risks and uncertainties, and actual results, performance or achievements of the Company could differ materially from those described in or implied by the statements in this press release. For example, the Company uses forward looking statements when it discusses how Revoltz is transforming how people and goods move in crowded city environments.
The forward-looking statements contained or implied in this press release are subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those discussed in any filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as otherwise required by law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. References and links to websites have been provided as a convenience, and the information contained on such websites is not incorporated by reference into this press release. The Company is not responsible for the contents of any third-party websites.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurates the Navkar Mahamantra Divas Navkar Mahamantra is not just a mantra, it is the core of our faith: PM
Navkar Mahamantra embodies humility, peace and universal harmony: PM
Navkar Mahamantra along with the worship of Panch Parmeshthi symbolises the right knowledge, perception and conduct, and the path leading to salvation: PM
Jain literature has been the backbone of the intellectual glory of India: PM
Climate change is today’s biggest crisis and its solution is a sustainable lifestyle, which the Jain community has practiced for centuries and aligns perfectly with India’s Mission LiFE: PM
PM proposes 9 resolutions on Navkar Mahamantra Divas
Posted On: 09 APR 2025 11:06AM by PIB Delhi
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated and participated in Navkar Mahamantra Divas at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi today. Addressing the gathering, he highlighted the profound spiritual experience of the Navkar Mantra, emphasizing its ability to bring peace and stability to the mind. He remarked on the extraordinary feeling of tranquility, which transcends words and thoughts, resonating deeply within the mind and consciousness. Shri Modi underscored the significance of the Navkar Mantra, reciting its sacred verses and described the mantra as a unified flow of energy, embodying stability, equanimity, and a harmonious rhythm of consciousness and inner light. Reflecting on his personal experience, he shared how he continues to feel the spiritual power of the Navkar Mantra within himself. He recalled witnessing a similar collective chanting event in Bengaluru years ago, which left a lasting impression on him. The Prime Minister highlighted the unparalleled experience of millions of virtuous souls across the nation and abroad coming together in a unified consciousness. He remarked on the collective energy and synchronized words, describing it as truly extraordinary and unprecedented.
Remarking on his roots in Gujarat, where the influence of Jainism is evident in every street, the Prime Minister highlighted how, from a young age, he had the privilege of being in the company of Jain Acharyas. “Navkar Mantra is not just a mantra but the core of faith and the essence of life”, he emphasised. He underlined its significance, which extends beyond spirituality, guiding individuals and society alike. He highlighted that every verse and even every syllable of the Navkar Mantra holds profound meaning. He added that when reciting the mantra, one bows to the Panch Parmeshthi and elaborated on the same. Shri Modi said Arihants, who have attained “Keval Gyan” and guide “Bhavya Jeevas,” embody 12 divine qualities while the Siddhas, who have eradicated eight karmas, attained Moksha, and possess eight pure qualities. He added that Acharyas follow Mahavrat and serve as pathfinders, embodying 36 virtues while Upadhyayas impart knowledge of the Moksha path, enriched with 25 qualities. He further added that Sadhus refine themselves through penance and progress toward Moksha, possessing 27 great qualities. He highlighted the spiritual depth and virtues associated with each of these revered beings.
“One bows to the 108 divine qualities and remembers the welfare of humanity when reciting the Navkar Mantra”, said Shri Modi highlighting that the mantra reminds us that knowledge and action are the true directions of life, with the Guru as the guiding light, and the path emerging from within. He emphasized the teachings of the Navkar Mantra, which inspire self-belief and the initiation of one’s own journey. He stated that the true enemy lies within—negative thoughts, distrust, hostility, and selfishness—and conquering these is the real victory. He underlined that Jainism motivates individuals to conquer themselves rather than the external world. “Self-conquest leads one to become an Arihant”, he added, stating that the Navkar Mantra is not a demand but a path—a path that purifies individuals from within and guides them toward harmony and goodwill.
“Navkar Mantra is truly a mantra of human meditation, practice, and self-purification”, exclaimed the Prime Minister highlighting its global perspective and its timeless nature, which, like other Indian oral and scriptural traditions, has been passed down through generations—first orally, then through inscriptions, and finally through Prakrit manuscripts—continuing to guide humanity even today. “The Navkar Mantra, along with venerating the Panch Parmeshthi, embodies right knowledge, right perception, and right conduct, serving as a path to liberation”, he emphasised. Underlining the importance of the nine elements of life, which lead to completeness, Shri Modi noted the special significance of the number nine in Indian culture. He elaborated on the prominence of the number nine in Jainism, mentioning the Navkar Mantra, nine elements, and nine virtues, as well as its presence in other traditions, such as the nine treasures, nine gates, nine planets, nine forms of Durga, and Navadha Bhakti. He highlighted that the repetition of chants—whether nine times or in multiples of nine like 27, 54, or 108—symbolizes the completeness represented by the number nine. The Prime Minister explained that the number nine is not just mathematics but a philosophy, as it represents completeness. He remarked that after achieving completeness, the mind and intellect stabilize and ascend, free from the desire for new things. Even after progress, one remains rooted in their essence and this is the essence of the Navkar Mantra, he stated.
Underlining that the philosophy of the Navkar Mantra aligns with the vision of a developed India, the Prime Minister reiterated his statement from the Red Fort, emphasizing that a developed India signifies both progress and heritage—a nation that will neither stop nor falter, will reach new heights, yet remain rooted in its traditions. He highlighted that a developed India will take pride in its culture. He emphasized the preservation of the teachings of the Tirthankaras. Recalling the nationwide celebration of the 2550th Nirvana Mahotsav of Lord Mahavir, Shri Modi noted the return of ancient idols, including those of the Tirthankaras, from abroad. He proudly shared that over 20 Tirthankara idols have been brought back to India in recent years. He highlighted the unparalleled role of Jainism in shaping India’s identity and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to preserving this legacy. Referring to the new Parliament building in New Delhi, describing it as the temple of democracy, he pointed out the visible influence of Jainism. He mentioned the depiction of Sammed Shikhar in the architectural gallery at the Shardul Gate entrance, the Tirthankara idol at the entrance of the Lok Sabha, which was returned from Australia, the magnificent painting of Lord Mahavir on the ceiling of the Constitution Gallery and the depiction of all 24 Tirthankaras together on the wall of the South Building. The Prime Minister remarked that these philosophies guide India’s democracy and provide the right path. He highlighted the profound definitions of Jainism, encapsulated in ancient Agama scriptures, such as “Vatthu Sahavo Dhammo,” “Charittam Khalu Dhammo,” and “Jivana Rakkhanam Dhammo.” He reaffirmed that the government is advancing with the mantra of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas,” inspired by these values.
“Jain literature has been the backbone of India’s intellectual heritage, and preserving this knowledge is a duty”, said Shri Modi, highlighting the government’s decision to grant classical language status to Prakrit and Pali, enabling further research on Jain literature. He emphasized that preserving language ensures the survival of knowledge, and expanding language leads to the growth of wisdom. The Prime Minister noted the existence of centuries-old Jain manuscripts in India, describing each page as a mirror of history and an ocean of knowledge, quoting profound Jain teachings. He expressed concern over the gradual disappearance of many significant texts and mentioned the launch of the “Gyan Bharatam Mission”, announced in this year’s Budget. He shared plans to survey millions of manuscripts across the country and digitize ancient heritage, connecting antiquity with modernity. He described this initiative as an ‘Amrit Sankalp’. “New India will explore possibilities through AI while guiding the world with spirituality”, he stressed.
Highlighting that Jainism is both scientific and sensitive, offering solutions to global challenges such as war, terrorism, and environmental issues through its core principles, the Prime Minister said the Jain tradition’s emblem, which states “Parasparopagraho Jivanam,” emphasises the interdependence of all living beings. He underscored Jainism’s commitment to non-violence, even at the most subtle levels, as a profound message of environmental conservation, mutual harmony, and peace. He acknowledged the five major principles of Jainism and emphasized the relevance of the philosophy of Anekantavada in today’s era. He stated that belief in Anekantavada prevents situations of war and conflict, fostering understanding of others’ emotions and perspectives. He emphasized the need for the world to embrace the philosophy of Anekantavada.
Underscoring that the world’s trust in India is deepening, with India’s efforts and results becoming a source of inspiration, Shri Modi highlighted that global institutions are now looking towards India because of its progress, which opens pathways for others. He connected this to the Jain philosophy of “Parasparopagraho Jivanam,” emphasizing that life thrives on mutual cooperation. He noted that this perspective has raised global expectations from India, and the nation has intensified its efforts. Addressing the pressing issue of climate change, he identified sustainable lifestyles as the solution and highlighted India’s launch of Mission LiFE. He remarked that the Jain community has been living the principles of simplicity, restraint, and sustainability for centuries. Referring to the Jain principle of Aparigraha, he emphasized the need to spread these values widely. He urged everyone, regardless of their location, to become flag bearers of Mission LiFE.
Prime Minister remarked that in today’s world of information, knowledge is abundant, but without wisdom, it lacks depth. He emphasized that Jainism teaches the balance of knowledge and wisdom to find the right path. He highlighted the importance of this balance for the youth, where technology must be complemented by human touch, and skills must be accompanied by the soul. He stated that the Navkar Mahamantra can serve as a source of wisdom and direction for the new generation.
Shri Modi urged everyone to take nine resolutions after the collective chanting of the Navkar Mantra. The first resolution being ‘Water Conservation’, he recalled the words of Buddhi Sagar Maharaj Ji, who predicted 100 years ago that water would be sold in shops. He emphasized the need to value and save every drop of water. The second resolution is to ‘plant a tree in Mother’s Name’. He highlighted the planting of over 100 crore trees in recent months and urged everyone to plant a tree in their mother’s name and nurture it like her blessings. He also recollected his efforts in Gujarat in this regard to plant 24 trees related to 24 Tirthankaras which could not be completed due to non-availability of few trees. Stressing the importance of cleanliness in every street, neighborhood, and city, urging everyone to contribute to this mission, Shri Modi mentioned ‘cleanliness mission’ as the third resolution. ‘Vocal for Local’ being the fourth resolution, he encouraged the promotion of locally made products, turning them global, and supporting items that carry the essence of Indian soil and the sweat of Indian workers. The fifth resolution is to ‘explore India’ and he urged people to explore India’s diverse states, cultures, and regions before traveling abroad, emphasizing the uniqueness and value of every corner of the country. ‘Adopting Natural Farming’ being the sixth resolution, the Prime Minister referred to the Jain principle of One living being should not harm another and called for freeing Mother Earth from chemicals, supporting farmers, and promoting natural farming. He proposed ‘Healthy Lifestyle’ as the seventh resolution and advocated for a return to Indian dietary traditions, including millets (Shri Anna), reducing oil consumption by 10%, and maintaining health through moderation and restraint. He proposed ‘Incorporating Yoga and Sports’ as the eighth resolution and emphasized making yoga and sports a part of daily life, whether at home, work, school, or parks, to ensure physical health and mental peace. Highlighting the importance of assisting the underprivileged, whether by holding a hand or filling a plate, as the true essence of service, he proposed ‘Helping the Poor’ as the ninth and final resolution. He emphasised that these resolutions align with the principles of Jainism and the vision of a sustainable and harmonious future. “These nine resolutions will infuse new energy into individuals and provide a fresh direction to the younger generation. Their implementation will foster peace, harmony, and compassion within society”, he added.
Noting that the principles of Jainism, including Ratnatraya, Daslakshan, Solah Karan, and the festivals like Paryushan, pave the way for self-welfare, Shri Modi expressed confidence that the World Navkar Mantra Day will continuously enhance happiness, peace, and prosperity globally. He expressed satisfaction at the unity displayed by all four sects coming together for this event, describing it as a symbol of unity, emphasising the importance of spreading the message of unity across the nation. He stated that anyone who chants “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” should be embraced and connected, as this energy strengthens the foundation of a developed India.
Prime Minister expressed gratitude for the blessings of Guru Bhagwants being received at various locations across the country. He extended his respects to the entire Jain community for organizing this global event. He offered his salutations to Acharya Bhagwants, Muni Maharajs, Shravak-Shravikas, and all those participating in the event from across India and abroad. He congratulated JITO for their efforts in organizing this historic event and acknowledged the presence of Home Minister of Gujarat, Shri Harsh Sanghavi, JITO Apex Chairman Shri Prithviraj Kothari, President Shri Vijay Bhandari, other JITO officials, and dignitaries from around the world, extending his best wishes for the success of this remarkable event.
Background
Navkar Mahamantra Divas is a momentous celebration of spiritual harmony and ethical consciousness that seeks to unite people through the collective chanting of the Navkar Mahamantra—the most revered and universal chant in Jainism. Rooted in the principles of non-violence, humility, and spiritual elevation, the mantra pays homage to the virtues of enlightened beings and inspires inner transformation. The Divas encourages all individuals to reflect on the values of self-purification, tolerance, and collective well-being.
People from more than 108 countries joined the global chant for peace and togetherness. They participated to foster peace, spiritual awakening, and universal harmony through the sacred Jain chant.
Navkar Mahamantra embodies humility, peace and universal harmony. Delighted to take part in the Navkar Mahamantra Divas programme. https://t.co/4f4r6ZuVkX
Climate change is today’s biggest crisis and its solution is a sustainable lifestyle, which the Jain community has practiced for centuries. This aligns perfectly with India’s Mission LiFE. pic.twitter.com/4p1FzlYyEB
Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University – Fencing competitions were held as part of the regional student Universiade, in which teams from 8 universities took part. Over the course of two days, athletes found out who was stronger in battles with epees, sabers and foils. The NSU team won two medals in the individual championship and the final 3rd place in the overall standings. This is the fifth bronze award of the Universiade for NSU students!
In the epee competition, Artem Tsaplin (GGF) took second place and Taisiya Zolotova (FF) took third place.
Our team also included: Anastasia Krikun, Elizaveta Safronova and Maxim Gruzdev (FEN); Mikhail Trofimov, Kira Prokopyeva and Daria Koroleva (MMF); Polina Bykova and Anton Filatov (EF); Natalia Bedareva and Yuri Fateev (IIR); Oleg Tsyplakov and Maria Morozova (FF); Kermani Golzadeh (IMPZ) and Evgeniy Buzyurkin (FIT)
Congratulations to our athletes and coach Olesya Onchukova on their successful performance!
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
Leisure travel tops charts for reasons people choose rail
The railway network connects people across the country, fuelling business, growth and opportunity.
new research from the Department for Transport shows that leisure is the most common reason for travelling by train
post-pandemic trends continue as results show the most common days to commute by train are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
whether its visiting friends and family, going on holiday or the usual commute, our railway provides vital connections across the country, boosting growth and fuelling our economy as part of the Plan for Change
Passengers are more likely to take the train for leisure travel while commuters would rather take the train midweek are the key takeaways from a new research report published today (9 April 2025) by the Department for Transport (DfT).
The railway connects communities across the country, moving people to get to work, education, healthcare and leisure. It provides vital infrastructure essential for delivering growth, providing opportunity and raising living standards as part of the Plan for Change.
The government is undertaking a once in a generation overhaul of the rail network, bringing train operating companies into public ownership and setting up Great British Railways (GBR), bringing track and train together to put passengers first.
In order to better understand how passengers use the railway and deliver a network that works for their needs, DfT did an investigation into the reasons passengers take the train. The report found that:
54% respondents said they were travelling for leisure
30% were commuting for work or education
15% were travelling for business
61% said they travelled by rail for leisure at least once a month
41% said they used the railway for commuting at least once a week, with Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday being the most popular days
This shows a return to midweek office working, demonstrating how essential the railway is for connecting people to get to work, providing a path for opportunity and catalysing economic growth.
Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy said:
Our railway is the backbone of our economy, connecting people across the country and fuelling business, growth and opportunity, supporting the Plan for Change.
This research shows thousands of passengers choose the train for their leisure travel. To go and see family and friends, go on holiday or go to big events whether its concerts, festivals or a football match, the train is the best way to get there.
Resetting industrial relations has meant there have been no national strikes since 9 May 2024, which has protected passengers from significant disruption and delays, avoiding further impacts to the hospitality industry and wider economy. This has meant the network has been able to start getting its financial footing back, with green shoots appearing in rail revenue with an increase of 8% from the latest quarter (October to December 2024) compared to the same quarter in 2023. Public ownership will turn the page on fragmentation and mean every penny can be spent for the benefit of passengers rather than private shareholders.
A key barrier to more people taking the train is still a lack of consistency in reliable services as delays and cancellations mean people miss days of work, hospital appointments or social events. The latest passenger data shows cancellations in the latest quarter (October to December 2024) was 5.1%, with 70,000 fully cancelled trains across the network.
The government is determined to drive up performance, and the Rail Minister is meeting with all train operators to address concerns and demand immediate action. On top of this, last month the Transport Secretary announced a new era of rail accountability, making performance information available at over 1,700 stations showing the punctuality and reliability of trains visiting those stations.
This year’s rail sale was the biggest one yet, encouraging more people to take the train with over one million tickets sold and top destinations including Manchester, York and London Bridge. Great British Railways will have a relentless focus on putting passengers at the centre of every journey, encouraging more people to take the train by improving standards and driving up performance.
Autistic adults will be supported to reach their full potential through a £2.5 million, multi-year fund.
The Autistic Adult Support Fund is available to third sector organisations providing services to autistic adults – promoting wellbeing and helping them to understand what neurodivergence means for them.
Since 2023, £1.5 million has been allocated to 15 organisations, including those helping autistic adults enter, remain, and thrive within employment.
This latest round of funding is now open to applications and will provide £2.5 million for the period from October 2025 to end of March 2028.
Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport Maree Todd said:
“We know the third sector plays a crucial role in improving the lives of autistic people, and this fund will support organisations to help the autistic people they work with lead fulfilling, independent, and active lives.
“The grants will be used to support autistic adults to thrive, helping them access services and improve general wellbeing so they can get involved in and truly feel a part of their community.
“Our commitment to multi-year funding will ensure that funded projects have the security and space to develop and grow, and ensure that the quality of support they provide is as high as it can be.”
Celia Tennant, Chief Executive Officer at Inspiring Scotland said:
“We are pleased to be managing the application process for the new phase of the Scottish Government’s Autistic Adult Support Fund.
“We know from working in this area, there is a real need to provide support to autistic adults around diagnosis or to understand their autism to improve wellbeing.
“We look forward to hearing from applicants that meaningfully involve autistic people in the development, design and delivery of the activity to improve live chances for autistic adults in Scotland.”
The Culture, Sports & Tourism Bureau today convened a meeting to co-ordinate the preparations for visitor arrivals to Hong Kong during the Mainland’s Labour Day Golden Week from May 1 to 5.
Noting that the number of visitor arrivals will increase during the Labour Day Golden Week, which is Hong Kong’s peak travel season, Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism Rosanna Law, who hosted the meeting, explained that working together effectively is crucially important.
“Government departments, relevant organisations and the trade will strengthen co-ordination and communication and do our best to welcome visitors arriving in Hong Kong with a view to creating a good travel experience for visitors.”
The parties concerned will maintain close communication and take forward the preparations for welcoming the visitors, the bureau said, adding that they will make timely reports on the latest situation to the interdepartmental working group chaired by the Chief Secretary.
Representatives from Police, Customs, the Immigration and Transport departments along with District Offices took part in today’s meeting.
Tourism-related organisations including the Travel Industry Authority, Tourism Board, Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong, West Kowloon Cultural District Authority as well as major tourist attractions and the hotel industry also sent representatives to attend the meeting.
Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
Guests of the Moskino Cinema Park can look forward to a space weekend on April 12 and 13. The program includes performances by professional stuntmen, space tricks, fantastic performances for the whole family, games for children, film screenings, and much more. Login by tickets.
Space adventures and incredible stunts
On April 12 at 13:00 and 14:30, the Gonzaga Theatre will host a performance for the whole family, “Frantic Cosmists.” It will be performed by actors from the Village Theatre. The fantastic story will tell viewers about the great discoveries of Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, Nikolai Fyodorov and Alexander Chizhevsky, as well as about the first cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin. The heroes of the production will have to prevent a catastrophe that threatens the planet.
From 17:00 to 18:00, stuntmen will perform on stage. Viewers will learn how stunts are done for space films, watch fragments of famous Russian films, and will also be able to take part in the performance themselves. Professionals will demonstrate special technical devices that are used to film flight scenes. Varvara Nikitina, the first Russian female stuntwoman and vice-president of the Stuntmen’s Guild at the Union of Cinematographers of Russia, will take part in the program.
On the weekend, guests will be able to take part in the interactive quest “Space Frontier”. Adults and children will transform into heroes who save the Earth from an alien invasion. Unusual characters will support them in passing the tests. For example, together with Professor Zvezdochetov, participants will build a star map, conduct physical experiments with engineer Kapustin, and the young cosmonaut Baikonurov will help find items important for a trip into space.
Songs, games and master classes
On April 13, musicians will perform famous songs from films on the stage of the Gonzaga Theatre, from musicals to Soviet hits. You can listen to the concert and sing along with the artists from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
Master classes will be held for children on the central square. Young guests will make space-themed keychains, paint a souvenir in the form of the Earth’s natural satellite, the Moon, and create interior items. Participants will also be able to take photos in a model of Yuri Gagarin’s space capsule, dressed in special suits, and play mini-football and big dominoes.
At the Vadim Zadorozhny Museum of Technology, children and animators will build a spaceship from cubes, catch meteorites and play other games in the fresh air.
On April 12 and 13, the Moskino Kinopark cinema will show films for the whole family. The comedy drama Everything That Concerns You will tell about a fascinating emotional journey and the search for a loved one. The comedy Batya-2. Ded will continue the audience’s favorite story about family, growing up and nostalgia for childhood. Animal lovers will appreciate the film Palma-2. This is a film about a boy, his faithful shepherd dog and a bear cub. The friends will have to go through a forest full of wild animals, hunters and other dangers. Buy tickets you can here.
You can get to the Moskino cinema park not only by your own car, but also by free transport. Buses M1 and M2 run every 25 minutes from the Salaryevo and Teply Stan metro stations. You can find out more about the routes and see the schedule on the cinema park’s website in the section “How to get there”.
The Moskino cinema park is part of Sergei Sobyanin’s “Moscow – City of Cinema” project and an object of the Moscow cinema cluster, which is being developed by the capital Department of CultureThe first stage of development has already been completed here: 24 natural sites, four pavilions and six infrastructure facilities have been built, including the sets “Center of Moscow”, “Moscow in the 1940s”, “Vitebsk Station”, “Yurovo Airport”, “Cathedral Square of Moscow”, “Deaf Village”, “County Town”, “Cowboy Town”, “St. Petersburg Bar” and others.
The Moscow Film Cluster is an infrastructure facility, services and facilities for filmmakers, which are being developed by the Moscow Government within the framework of the Moscow — City of Cinema project. Its structure includes the Moskino film park, the Gorky Film Studio (sites on Sergei Eisenstein Street and Valdaisky Proyezd), the Moskino film factory, the Moskino cinema chain, the film commission and the Moskino film platform.
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Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
More than 600 educational events were prepared for young Muscovites, their parents and teachers in April. Registration for them is available on the service “Horizons” based on the Moscow Electronic School (MES). Here you can find a list of all free educational events for children and youth in the capital — lectures, festivals, master classes, competitions, quests, hackathons and excursions.
“The Horizons service allows schoolchildren and college students to attend sports, cultural and educational events. Since its launch in 2023, it has been used more than 2.5 million times, and the number of unique users has exceeded 1.3 million. The service was most in demand among 10th-11th grade students and parents of schoolchildren,” the press service of the capital said.
So, on April 12 at 12:00 a master class will be held at the Moscow University of Finance and Law “Traditional Chinese Cuisine”. Participants will not only learn about the national dishes of the Celestial Empire, but also learn to write their names in Chinese. Schoolchildren and college students are invited to the lesson.
On April 12 at the same time, the Palace of Children and Youth Creativity “Vostochny” will host a festival for schoolchildren master class in karate. The course is suitable for both beginners and experienced athletes. And at 16:00, students will be able to join the lesson right here “Rhythm in vocals”The children will be told about methods of working with musical ear and will be revealed the secrets of expressive performance.
Available for primary school students and their parents excursion through the enclosure complex of the Bitsevsky Forest natural and historical park. Guests will get acquainted with wild and farm animals – squirrels, pheasants, chickens, goats and sheep, and learn interesting facts about them. The event will begin on April 16 at 14:30.
On April 19 at 12:45 at the Russian State University of Oil and Gas named after I.M. Gubkin you can attend a lecture “Computer – from Babbage to smartphone”. Pupils of grades 7–11, college students, their parents and teachers will be told about the creation of computers and the first programs.
In total, more than 10 thousand events were published in the Gorizonty service. The events are divided into four areas: “Technology, exact, natural sciences”, “Humanities and economics”, “Medicine, health and sports”, “Culture and art”. For the convenience of users, a filter is available that helps select an event according to age. After registration, information about the event automatically appears in the schedule of the MES electronic diary, and is also sent to e-mail.
The Horizons service is available in the School section (News tab) of the electronic diary and in the Events section of the mobile application “MESH Diary”. You can also use the service on the website Horizons.Mos.ru.
“Moscow Electronic School”— a joint project of the capital’s departments education and science Andinformation technology, created in 2016. A single digital educational platform is available to Moscow teachers, students and their parents. Among the main services of “MES” are a library of educational materials, an electronic diary and journal, “Moskvenok”, “Student Portfolio” and “Olympiads”.
Providing the capital’s schoolchildren with modern digital services increases the efficiency of the educational process, helps children to plan their school and personal time wisely and corresponds to the objectives of the “All the Best for Children” national project “Youth and Children”.
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VICTORIA, Seychelles, April 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitget, the leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company, has announced a significant update to the burn mechanism of Bitget Token (BGB). This enhancement introduces a utility-based model that ties BGB’s quarterly burn amount to its on-chain usage, signifying the token’s evolution towards higher transparency, compliance, and sustainable token value.
To better reflect the growing integration of BGB across centralized and decentralized ecosystems, the new burn mechanism links quarterly burn volumes to the amount of BGB used for on-chain gas fees through Bitget Wallet’s GetGas accounts. By anchoring the burn to real usage, the model facilitates BGB’s transformation as a key asset within Web3 and real-world applications. The burn formula accounts for BGB’s usage as gas fees, quarterly average price, and predefined constants to ensure a dynamic and verifiable process.
The first quarterly burn under this new mechanism has now been calculated. In Q1 2025, 6,943.63 BGB were topped up in Bitget Wallet’s GetGas accounts for on-chain gas fee usage. Based on the new formula, a total of 30,006,905 BGB will be burnt in this quarter. All data related to the burn — including transaction records and wallet addresses — are publicly accessible on-chain to ensure full transparency.
“BGB is becoming a vital bridge between centralized and decentralized ecosystems. By linking its burn mechanism to actual on-chain utility, BGB’s quarterly burn amount can evolve with real usage. This update incentivizes adoption and enables transparent and sustainable tokenomics,” said Gracy Chen, CEO of Bitget. “As BGB continues to expand its role in on-chain ecosystems, a more sustainable burn mechanism can be expected.”
Bitget Token (BGB) is the utility token that fuels the entire Bitget ecosystem, spanning both its centralized exchange and decentralized wallet. BGB can be staked to earn passive income or qualify for popular token airdrops via Launchpool and PoolX. It also unlocks early access to high-potential Web3 projects through Launchpad and LaunchX. On-chain, BGB is used to cover multi-chain gas fees in Bitget Wallet. Holding BGB grants users exclusive perks such as VIP-level upgrades and profit-sharing opportunities for elite traders. More than just a token, BGB is a gateway for users to engage with, influence, and grow alongside the Bitget ecosystem.
Earlier this year, the BGB ecosystem was strengthened by permanently burning 800 million team-held tokens, representing 40% of the total supply. Following this burn in January 2025, the total supply was reduced to 1.2 billion, with 100% now in circulation.
Launched in July 2021 at an initial price of 0.0585 USDT, BGB reached an all-time high of 8.5 USDT in December 2024 — delivering over 100x in cumulative gains. According to CoinMarketCap, it now ranks among the top three CEX native tokens by market cap and is listed as a top 30 crypto asset.
For more information about the BGB burn, visit this link.
About Bitget
Established in 2018, Bitget is the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company. Serving over 100 million users in 150+ countries and regions, the Bitget exchange is committed to helping users trade smarter with its pioneering copy trading feature and other trading solutions while offering real-time access to Bitcoin price, Ethereum price, and other cryptocurrency prices. Formerly known as BitKeep, Bitget Wallet is a world-class multi-chain crypto wallet that offers an array of comprehensive Web3 solutions and features including wallet functionality, token swap, NFT Marketplace, DApp browser, and more.
Bitget is at the forefront of driving crypto adoption through strategic partnerships, such as its role as the Official Crypto Partner of the World’s Top Football League, LALIGA, in EASTERN, SEA and LATAM markets, as well as a global partner of Turkish National athletes Buse Tosun Çavuşoğlu (Wrestling world champion), Samet Gümüş (Boxing gold medalist) and İlkin Aydın (Volleyball national team), to inspire the global community to embrace the future of cryptocurrency.
Risk Warning:Digital asset prices are subject to fluctuation and may experience significant volatility. Investors are advised to only allocate funds they can afford to lose. The value of any investment may be impacted, and there is a possibility that financial objectives may not be met, nor the principal investment recovered. Independent financial advice should always be sought, and personal financial experience and standing carefully considered. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Bitget accepts no liability for any potential losses incurred. Nothing contained herein should be construed as financial advice. For further information, please refer to ourTerms of Use.
Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)
Padilla, Schiff Host Dodgers Capitol Reception to Celebrate 2024 World Series Championship
Additional photos from the Dodgers Capitol reception are available here.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff (both D-Calif.) hosted players, coaches, and executives from the Los Angeles Dodgers organization at the Capitol to celebrate the Dodgers’ 2024 Major League Baseball World Series championship.
“As a U.S. Senator and lifelong Dodger fan, it was a special honor to host the Boys in Blue at the Capitol today to celebrate their 2024 World Series Championship,” said Senator Padilla. “I remember being inspired by Fernandomania in ’81 and Gibby and the Bulldog in ’88. The talent, grit, and diversity of the 2024 championship team is just as inspiring.”
“The Los Angeles Dodgers are champions in every sense of the word, and I was delighted to join Senator Alex Padilla today to celebrate them on their World Series victory. To the players, coaches, staff, and fans — thank you for a season we’ll never forget and for pouring your hearts and soul into the game. Let’s win it all again this year!” said Senator Schiff.
The Dodgers’ victory in Game 5 of the 2024 World Series marked the eighth World Series championship for the franchise and their seventh title since moving from Brooklyn to Los Angeles in 1958. The Dodgers’ 98 regular season wins last season gave them the best record in baseball and led to their 11th National League West Division title in the last 12 seasons.
Last year, the Senate unanimously passed Senator Padilla and former Senator Laphonza Butler’s resolution applauding the Dodgers’ dominant championship run and recognizing the achievements and contributions of the entire Los Angeles Dodgers organization. The resolution also acknowledged the passing of Fernando Valenzuela, who spurred a unique connection between the team and the Latino community of Los Angeles. Valenzuela passed away just days before the start of the World Series.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Sports to use the oval include rugby league, touch football, soccer and cricket.
New upgrades to the Melba Neighbourhood Oval pavilion and a new canteen are now complete. The upgrades will make playing and watching sport in West Belconnen a more comfortable experience.
The upgrades include:
heating in the changing rooms
privacy screens at the entry to the changing rooms
lighting
mirrors, vanities and shelves
toilet cubicles
an accessible toilet with a foldaway baby change table
power points adjacent to wet areas
lockable shower cubicles
hygiene disposal points
nonslip flooring.
Sports to use the oval include rugby league, touch football, soccer and cricket.
Spectators cheering on their team will also benefit with:
three new public toilets (two unisex and one accessible)
a new water refill station
bike racks
a new canteen featuring a digital art wrap highlighting some iconic Canberra images.
A barbecue area is also close by. It is securely caged off to allow storage and for groups to cook the traditional fundraiser brunches and lunches.
“These enhancements will significantly improve the experience for our players, volunteers and the entire community, fostering a more welcoming, inclusive and comfortable environment for everyone in our club,” Belconnen United Sharks Junior Rugby League Club President Matt Brown said.
“As all sports, including the great game of rugby league, look to continue to grow female participant numbers in community sports, having more dedicated change rooms enhances our ability to make everyone feel welcome, valued and respected as they engage in junior sports in large part thanks to our new and upgraded facilities.”
Cricket ACT is pleased to see the upgrade works completed.
“For cricket in the Territory to continue on its current nation-leading trajectory of growth, we need to ensure male and female players of all abilities are able to compete in the best possible facilities, and we’re excited to see what impact these and other facility improvements around the region will have on our great game,” Cricket ACT Territory Infrastructure Manager Lauren Coates said.
The Australian Cricket Infrastructure Fund made possible through Cricket Australia. Cricket ACT also helped to contribute to the upgrades to the pavilion with $25,000.
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Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Equipd Allied Health will re-open an upgraded facility from August.
The Chifley Health and Wellbeing Hub will re-open to the community from 1 August 2024 with an extensive range of clinical services for National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) community members.
From 1 September 2024, gym and wellbeing services will commence.
A new provider, Equipd Allied Health, will manage the upgraded facility.
Investing in a unique service
The ACT Government has invested over $470,000 towards new equipment and upgrades to the facility, with
$350,000 for a range of training, weights, strength and conditioning and wellness equipment
$123,000 for a new clinical treatment room, new carpet and all-purpose gym flooring and improvements to the facility.
Equipd Allied Health will provide dedicated services and comprehensive care and wellbeing to community members and wellbeing for people of all abilities.
Canberrans with health conditions or impairments, older people with chronic pain or requiring rehabilitation can rely on tailored allied health care to meet their needs.
Clinical services
Clinical services will be available for Hub members from 1 August 2024.
Services will be improved by:
a new clinical treatment room
new testing equipment
exercise and resistance training equipment for National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) community members.
Gym services
Gym services will re-open from 1 September 2024.
These include member access to:
new cardiovascular training equipment
pin-loaded fixed weights and strength equipment
free weights
balance balls
yoga equipment and accessories.
Members can expect to see new and familiar faces among the staff.
Continuity for community
Equipd Allied Health aims to ensure there is continuity for previous members.
Future members can expect a modern, fit-for-purpose environment that supports their health and wellbeing.
“We are dedicated to supporting the most vulnerable members of our community and fostering genuine connections through compassionate care, professional excellence, and evidence-based practices,” Dylan Grubb of Equipd Allied Health said.
“Our number one goal as health professionals is managing risk in an exercise setting and we have clinical equipment coming that will ensure gold standard of care.”
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Gungahlin Tennis Facility will be built off Horse Park Drive in Amaroo.
The Development Application has been approved for the new Gungahlin Tennis Facility.
This brings the sporting venue another step closer for tennis-lovers.
Gungahlin Tennis Facility will be built off Horse Park Drive in Amaroo.
It will include:
10 full-size tennis courts
two hot shot courts
a hitting wall
a pavilion
LED lighting
carparking
landscaping.
Gungahlin is one of the country’s fastest growing regions. Tennis is also a growing sport, and the new venue will help attract even more players.
The Gungahlin Tennis Facility is being built by the ACT Government in partnership with Tennis Australia and Tennis ACT.
“Tennis ACT is looking forward to the construction phase of the Amaroo Tennis Centre and a wonderful tennis facility for the community of Gungahlin and the greater ACT and region,” CEO of Tennis ACT Mark La Brooy said.
“After a number of years of planning, community consultation, Estate Development Planning and now the approval of the development application, this sees the realisation of a vital piece of infrastructure that will bring tennis to one of the important growth corridors in the ACT.”
The Gungahlin Tennis Facility will offer a range of programs for all ages.
These will include:
Hot Shots Tennis and school programs
Book A Court
Cardio Tennis
Adult Social Tennis
Junior and Senior Canberra Tennis League
all-abilities programs.
Tennis Australia’s established tennis pathways will also help develop young players.
As well as keeping more young people in the sport, it will support many to realise their sporting dreams.
The new facility will also have capacity to host major tennis events, bringing more people to Canberra.
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Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joined U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-ID) in sending a letter urging states to adhere to President Trump’s Executive Order and keep men out of women’s sports. While states like Alabama have taken decisive action to protect women’s sports, many governors have yet to do so, jeopardizing a fair playing field for female athletes.
“State-level action is vital to ensure America’s female athletes receive the same assurance of fairness nationwide. We applaud the many states that have answered the call and taken meaningful action to support President Trump’s Executive Order. These efforts demonstrate a clear commitment to fairness, safety, and the future of women’s sports. However, it is imperative that every state step up to enforce these commonsense protections for female athletes,” wrote the senators. “Allowing biological men to compete in women’s categories directly undermines the opportunities and safety of our female athletes. We urge the states that have not yet taken action to safeguard the integrity of women’s sports to take the necessary steps to align with President Trump’s Executive Order immediately. The safety of women and girls in sports cannot be guaranteed as long as states continue to delay and obstruct the enforcement of this Executive Order.”
Read the full letter to the National Governors Association here.
BACKGROUND:
During President Biden’s administration, more than 900 women lost medals to men competing in women’s sports. The issue of men in girls’ and women’s sports proved to be one of the top concerns of voters during the 2024 Presidential Election. A recent New York Times (NYT) poll found 79% of respondents said men should not be allowed to participate in women’s sports. This is a bipartisan issue—the same recent NYT poll found that 67% of Democrats agree that male athletes shouldn’t be allowed in women’s sports.
In February, President Trump signed a historic Executive Order banning men from competing in women’s sports. President Trump has spoken about the need to keep men out of women’s sports on multiple occasions.
Unfortunately, Executive Orders can be reversed. That’s why on Monday, March 3, 2025, the Senate voted on Senator Tuberville’s bill, the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, which would make President Trump’s Executive Order permanent. 45 Democrats voted to block the bill from proceeding.
Earlier this year, Senator Tuberville also introduced a bill to ban men from competing in women’s U.S. Olympic sports, following USA Boxing’s announcement that it would allow men to box against women.
Senator Tuberville has vowed to continue fighting until women’s rights to compete fairly and safely are protected.
Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.
A man has been arrested after crashing a stolen car and injuring two people in the northern suburbs yesterday afternoon.
About 4.45pm on Tuesday 8 April, police were called to Spruance Road at Elizabeth East after reports of a man in possession of a machete.
The man was seen to get into a silver VW Gold bearing stolen registration plates. Northern District patrols spotted the car travelling on Chillingworth Road at Elizabeth East and attempted to stop it however it took off at speed. The car was followed onto Midway Road and police lost sight of the car on Fletcher Road.
Just before 5.10pm police received reports of a car crash on Halsey Road. The grey VW Golf allegedly collided into another car and the driver was seen running from the scene.
Patrols were quickly in the area and saw a man jumping a fence on Spruance Road. The suspect was arrested shortly after without incident.
A 20-year-old man from Elizabeth East was arrested and taken to hospital where he was treated for minor injuries caused by the crash.
The Golf collided with a Nissan Dualis, both the driver, a 64-year-old woman from Salisbury North, and passenger, a 91-year-old man from Hillbank, were taken to hospital where they are being treated for non-life threatening injuries.
Major Crash officers attended the scene to consult with Northern District patrol members who are investigating the crash.
Checks on the VW Golf revealed it had been stolen from an Elizabeth South address earlier in the week.
The Elizabeth East man has been charged with illegal use of a motor vehicle, driving dangerously to avoid a police pursuit, two counts of driving dangerously causing harm, driving at a speed dangerous and leaving the scene of a crash after causing harm. He has been refused bail and will appear in Elizabeth Magistrates Court today (Wednesday 9 April).
Source: United States Senator for New York Charles E Schumer
Schumer Warns Over 260,000 NY Jobs Tied To Exports At “Direct Hit” Risk; JP Morgan Says Chance For National Recession Now At 60%–But Schumer Says For New York, That Risk Is Even Higher With EU Seeking To Retaliate At NYC Financial, Accounting & Tech Sector
Schumer Crunches Numbers To Say, As Of Right Now, Current Tariff Plan Could Cost NYC At Least $20 Billion Dollars; NYC Metropolitan Area Exports Second Most Goods Of Any U.S. Metropolitan Area – Much Of This Could Just Cease With NYC Revenues, Jobs, Investments All Nosediving
Schumer: Donald Trump’s Pinball Tariff Strategy Will Wreak Total Havoc On NYC & Could Drive A Deep & Needless Recession; Put Down The Golf Club & Pick Up The Papers
With tariff chaos wreaking havoc on the U.S. economy, U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, today, issued a dire warning, with the numbers and the data to back it up: Trump tariffs are likely to drive New York’s economy right into a recession.
“President Trump’s pinball tariff strategy will wreak total havoc on New York City and is likely to drive us right into a recession,” Schumer said. “We’ve crunched the numbers, and what doesn’t look good for the nation, looks far worse for New York City. Some of the Big Apple’s core sectors are being targeted already, New Yorkers face roughly $20 billion dollars in increased costs, and a staggering 260,000 New York jobs are under threat, unless Donald Trump backs off—and that is exactly what I am urging today. Back off, President Trump.”
Schumer, today, cited numbers that he predicts would go beyond the JP Morgan chances of a national recession while citing specific New York industries and sectors that would be especially slammed as the President’s pinball plans knock out some of New York’s most resilient industries—from finance, to tech and accounting. However, Schumer also cited tourism, fashion and other lifestyle industries across the city that would be equally damaged.
Schumer explained an ominous fact, detailing how New York and its metro area is especially vulnerable to the President’s needless tariff war because it is one of the world’s largest trade hubs. Schumer explained that the New York port and area import and export hubs hum with activity that pumps billions of dollars into the New York City economy each year.
Specifically, Schumer said that the President’s plans also put over 260,000 New York jobs tied to exports at, what he calls, a “direct hit” economic risk. Schumer explained that JP Morgan released data showing the nation’s chances of a recession are now at 60%–but Schumer says, in New York, the number is much higher. Schumer also said that, right now, the European Union is seeking to retaliate directly at New York City’s financial, accounting and tech sectors. He warned, today, that Asia would be next.
Just last week, JP Morgan said that the chance of a recession substantially increased due to President Donald Trump’s tariff announcement. The report, headlined “There will be blood” and dated April 3, warned, “these policies, if sustained, would likely push the US and possibly global economy into recession this year. An update of our probability scenario tree makes this point, raising the risk of a recession this year to 60%.”
“Disruptive U.S. policies have been recognized as the biggest risk to the global outlook all year,” JP Morgan said last week, adding that the country’s trade policy has turned less business friendly than anticipated.
“The effect is likely to be magnified through tariff retaliation, a slide in U.S. business sentiment and supply-chain disruptions,” JP Morgan warned. S&P Global, the rating firm, also raised its “subjective” probability of a U.S. recession last week.
Schumer also pointed to Barclays, and brokerages HSBC, Deutsche Bank and BofA warned last Thursday that the U.S. economy faces a higher risk of slipping into a recession this year if the President’s tariffs remain in place.
Financial reports say that if the tariffs are sustained, “recession risks will likely rise materially,” Deutsche Bank said in a note, while BofA noted the economy could be pushed to “the precipice of recession,” according to reports. Both Deutsche Bank and BofA predicted tariffs could ‘potentially shave 1-1.5 percentage points from U.S. economic growth this year.’
And today, Goldman Sachs has now sounded their own alarm, saying the chances of a recession have increased greatly.
Schumer echoed these warnings and other reports saying Trump’s tariff increase is “largest tax hike since 1968”—comparable to Smoot-Hawley, Schumer says.
As for New York City, Schumer is seeing red. Specifically:
Schumer says that Trump’s tariffs will raise costs for NYC and threaten to put the Big Apple straight into a recession:
Schumer detailed how NYC is particularly vulnerable:
NYC is one of the largest trade hubs in the country, with more than $200 Billion in trade in goods alone each year ($100b imports, $100b exports) – Schumer says this entire subset economy has been fractured, no matter what the President does right now.
Schumer can say that Trump’s tariffs will mean a nearly $20 Billion-dollar DIRECT HIT to NYC, and that’s before other countries try to retaliate. Schumer says the EU and Asia have begun the process.
80,000 jobs were already at risk before Trump’s latest announcement, which now threatens the more than 250,000 jobs in New York that are dependent on exports and could be threatened by retaliation.
Schumer says key NYC industries are already feeling the effects:
NYC’s biggest industries are in information services (financial, accounting, tech), which are the focus of the EU’s potential retaliation, and Schumer says it is clear that Asia will begin retaliation this week.
Tourism: Countries like Canada are boycotting travel to US, which has already seen a 23% drop in Canadian travel to US. But Schumer says the pinball tariff strategy will also constrict tourism on a global scale, constricting the global economy and weakening the dollar.
Fashion/Garment industry is facing price increases of 10 to 17% — Schumer says NYC is a fashion and garment hub, from leathers to other textiles, and that the current tariff ‘plan’ will rip the threads out of the NYC fashion and commerce economy.
Schumer has fought to help New York push back against these pinball tariffs, forcing a vote to rescind Trump’s disastrous tariffs and protect NY consumers.
Following Democrats’ successful effort to force a Senate vote to pull back Trump’s tariffs on Canada, Schumer pushed an amendment to rescind any tariffs put in place after January 20, 2025 that have increased the costs of groceries, medicines, or other everyday goods, while leaving in place tariffs on adversaries like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. Schumer explained he authored the amendment because Congress should be prioritizing reducing costs for families and small businesses, not taxing middle class families to pay for tax cuts for billionaires.
“Bottom line, Schumer says, Donald Trump’s tariff strategy will wreak total havoc on the New York City economy and is likely to drive us straight into a recession. I urge the President to back off. Put down the golf clubs and pick up the papers and have a look at what is going on because it is anything but ‘great.’”
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:
Please broadcast the following special announcement immediately, and repeat it at frequent intervals:
The concert at Kai Tak Stadium of the Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP) is scheduled to end later tonight (April 8). As a large number of spectators is expected to disperse at the same time, the Transport Department (TD) urges those leaving the venue to take the MTR if possible. The TD has been steering public transport service arrangements and the overall traffic conditions have mostly been smooth so far:
MTR:
The interval between trains of the Tuen Ma Line will be further enhanced to about 2.5 minutes and the service level of the northbound East Rail Line (ERL) will also be enhanced accordingly;
Of note, for cross-boundary travellers, the last train to Lo Wu Station on the ERL via interchanging at Tai Wai Station will depart from Sung Wong Toi Station at 10.59pm and Kai Tak Station at 11.01pm;
Special bus routes:
Eleven special bus routes have been arranged at the Sung Wong Toi Road Pick-up/Drop-off Area departing for ports and major districts across the territory;
Cross-boundary travellers may take route No. SP12 to Lok Ma Chau (San Tin) Public Transport Interchange and transfer to the Lok Ma Chau-Huanggang cross-boundary shuttle bus (Yellow Bus) to Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang Port; or route No. A25S to the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) Hong Kong Port and transfer to the HZMB shuttle bus (Gold Bus) to Macao and Zhuhai; and
Taxis:
In view of an outflux of spectators, the waiting time is anticipated to be longer. Patience is appreciated. The TD has made all-out efforts with the taxi trade to mobilise more taxis for picking up passengers, including disseminating to the trade directly real-time information on passengers queuing. The KTSP has also mobilised taxis via the instant messaging platform.
Spectators are advised to take heed of the real-time information via the on-site broadcast and the “Easy Leave” platform (easyleave.police.gov.hk) as well as the latest traffic news through the TD’s website (www.td.gov.hk), the “HKeMobility” mobile application and radio and television broadcasts.
Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
April 08, 2025
“We are concerned that corporate partnerships within the AI sector discourage competition, circumvent our antitrust laws, and result in fewer choices and higher prices for businesses and consumers using AI tools.”
Text of Letter to Google/Anthropic (PDF) | Text of Letter to Microsoft/OpenAI (PDF)
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) wrote to cloud service providers Google and Microsoft with concerns that their respective partnerships with AI developers Anthropic and OpenAI may violate antitrust laws, leading to fewer choices and higher prices for businesses and consumers using AI tools.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warned in a January 2025 report that these types of partnerships might pose “risks to competition and consumers, such as ‘. . . locking in the market dominance of large incumbent technology firms.” The FTC and the Department of Justice have also raised concerns about these partnerships, warning that they can act as de facto mergers and allow companies to consolidate talent, information, and resources, while bypassing the traditional scrutiny associated with mergers and acquisitions.
These partnerships can involve minority stakes and significant investment from cloud service providers (CSPs), like Google and Microsoft, giving them access to AI developers’ talent, computing capacity, intellectual property, or business information.
In some cases, CSPs hire the top AI talent away from the AI developer and obtain exclusive licensing of the developer’s technology, “effectively swallowing the start-up and its main assets — without becoming the owner of the firm.” An agreement may also give the CSP a high level of control over, and stake in, the AI developer’s business decisions. In the most egregious case, individuals have held concurrent board positions with both the CSP and the AI developer, in a blatant violation of U.S. antitrust law. Partnership agreements can also lock AI developers in with particular CSPs because of the high contractual and technical cost of starting an agreement with a new CSP, limiting innovation in cases where there are better partnerships available.
“Partnerships between CSPs and AI developers, if left unchecked, may accelerate consolidation of the AI sector, ultimately driving up prices and choking off innovation,” wrote the senators.
In order to better understand the potential anticompetitive risks of these agreements, the senators requested the companies provide more information about their partnerships, including on the consolidation of computing resources, talent, and intellectual property, by April 21, 2025.
Senator Warren has long fought to crack down on corporate consolidation that threatens consumers and raises prices, including in the technology sector:
In February 2025, Senator Elizabeth Warren wrote to Omeed Assefi, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the United States Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Antitrust Division, calling on the agency to closely scrutinize Disney’s proposed acquisition of FuboTV (Fubo).
In December 2024, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) introduced the bipartisan Protecting AI and Cloud Competition in Defense Act to ensure that the Department of Defense (DoD)’s procurement of artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing tools prioritizes resiliency and competition. The bill offers meaningful regulation to limit Big Tech monopolies from elbowing out competitors in the AI and cloud computing markets.
In November 2024, U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) sent two letters regarding the impact of private equity and large corporations in veterinary care, to JAB Holding Company (JAB) and to Mars Petcare (Mars), a subsidiary of Mars, Inc., respectively.
In October 2024, Senator Elizabeth Warren led the reintroduction of the Stop Wall Street Looting Act, comprehensive legislation to fundamentally reform the private equity industry and level the playing field by forcing private investment firms to take responsibility for the outcomes of companies they take over, empowering workers and protecting investors.
In August 2024, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Representative Joaquin Castro (D-Texas), joined by U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), wrote to the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Communications Commission (FCC), calling on the agencies to closely scrutinize the proposed joint venture between FOX, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Disney subsidiary ESPN that would create a new streaming service named Venu Sports (Venu).
In July 2024, Senators Warren, Klobuchar, Murphy, Sanders, Booker, and Blumenthal wrote a letter to the Department of Justice and Federal Communications Commission, urging them to scrutinize T-Mobile’s proposed acquisition of UScellular.
In July 2024, Senator Warren and Representatives Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) and John Garamendi (D-Calif.) urged the Department of Defense (DoD), FTC, and DOJ to review TransDigm Group Inc.’s acquisitions of two specialized aerospace contractors to prevent price gouging.
In June 2024, Senator Warren wrote to DOJ, FTC, and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), calling out high health care costs due to vertically integrated insurers, private equity companies, and pharmaceutical companies that are driving health care consolidation.
In June 2024, Senators Warren and Markey (D-Mass.) introduced the Corporate Crimes Against Health Care Act of 2024 to root out corporate greed and private equity abuse in the health care system.
In May 2024, chairing a hearing of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee Subcommittee on Economic Policy, Senator Warren highlighted the impact of concentration in the food industry and its impact on prices, product, and consumer choice.
In May 2024, Senator Warren and Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) introduced the bipartisan Airport Gate Competition Act, which would increase competition in the airline industry and lower prices for consumers by increasing the number of common-use gates in airports.
In March 2024, Senator Warren and Representative Mary Gay Scanlon (D-Penn.) led a group of 14 lawmakers in urging the FTC to revive enforcement of the Robinson Patman Act, a critical tool to promote fair competition in the food industry.
In March 2024, Senators Warren and Klobuchar led 26 lawmakers in urging the leadership of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees to strike parts of the Commerce, Science, and Justice (CJS) appropriations bill that undercut DOJ’s ability to block anticompetitive mergers.
In February 2024, Senator Warren urged FTC to closely scrutinize Choice Hotels’ attempted hostile takeover of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, which would further consolidate the hotel market and create the largest branded hotel chain in the United States.
In February 2024, Senator Warren delivered the keynote address at RemedyFest, where she called out Big Tech for their anti-competitive tactics that have led to market consolidation and record profits.
In February 2024, Senator Warren and 12 other lawmakers called on regulators to block the Capital One-Discover Merger.
In December 2023, Senator Warren led 6 senators in a letter to Acting Comptroller of the Currency Michael Hsu, calling on OCC to allow states to move forward with their efforts to protect consumers from harmful bank practices. The senators criticized the OCC for overstepping its preemption authority under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, which the agency is abusing to block tough, state-level consumer protections.
In November 2023, Senators Warren and Blumenthal called out U.S. Anesthesia Partners’ (USAP) monopolistic business model and use of restrictive non-compete agreements that have reduced patients’ quality of care, increased prices, and suppressed workers’ wages.
In October 2023, Senator Warren and Representative Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) urged DOJ and FTC to carefully scrutinize UnitedHealth Group’s pending acquisition of Amedisys; and urged the agencies to scrutinize similar deals, reject behavioral or structural remedies, and oppose any health care acquisition that would threaten competition, increase prices, and reduce quality of care.
In September 2023, Senator Warren and Representative Becca Balint (D-Vt.), along with a bicameral group of lawmakers, submitted a public comment to the FTC and DOJ in support of the agencies’ proposed merger guidelines, endorsing the agencies’ reading of antitrust law, praising the guidelines as necessary to prevent harm to workers, consumers, and small businesses.
In August 2023, chairing a hearing of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee Subcommittee on Economic Policy, Senator Warren highlighted the need for regulators to implement the strongest version of bank merger review guidelines in order to ensure stability in the financial system.
In July 2023, Senators Warren and Lindsey Graham unveiled comprehensive legislation that would rein in Big Tech by establishing a new commission to regulate online platforms. The commission would have concurrent jurisdiction with FTC and DOJ, and would be responsible for overseeing and enforcing the new statutory provisions in the bill and implementing rules to promote competition, protect privacy, protect consumers, and strengthen our national security.
In June 2023, Senator Warren sent a letter to Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter, Federal Deposit Investment Corporation (FDIC) Chairman Gruenberg, Acting Comptroller of the Currency Hsu, Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Michael Barr, and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, urging regulators to promote greater competition in the banking sector by toughening their stances on bank mergers and strengthening bank merger review guidelines.
In May 2023, at a hearing of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, Senator Warren questioned Acting Comptroller Hsu on his decision to approve JPMorgan Chase’s purchase of First Republic Bank after its collapse. This merger allowed a large, poorly supervised bank to be swallowed by America’s largest bank, making it $200 billion larger than it was before.
It’s clear: the world wants more Alberta. Alberta is world-renowned as a premier tourism destination, and it’s no secret why – from the majestic Rocky Mountains to the rolling golden prairies, from small-town charm to the province’s vibrant cities – there is something for everyone in Alberta.
Alberta’s government understands the importance of the province’s tourism sector, and with the creation of the Ministry of Tourism and Sport, has been investing in its success. These investments are paying off. In 2023, Alberta broke records, with annual visitor expenditures soaring to $12.7 billion – surpassing the previous record by almost 20 per cent. The province also experienced record international visitor expenditures, solidifying Alberta’s position as a key destination on the world stage.
Data from the first three quarters of 2024 shows that Alberta’s tourism sector is continuing to boom. From January to September 2024, Alberta tourism revenues have grown 10 per cent year over year, suggesting the province will once again break the record for annual visitor spending. Alberta is outperforming every other province in tourism sector growth, with data from the same period showing Alberta is advancing at a rate more than three times the national average.
“Alberta’s tourism economy is booming! It’s growing at an unprecedented rate, and we’re not slowing down anytime soon. Alberta’s government will continue working to unleash the potential of the province’s tourism industry, and the incredible tourism operators across the province will continue to show the world what we Albertans already know: Alberta is the best place in the world to live, play and visit.”
Alberta’s long-term provincial tourism strategy charts a path to growing Alberta’s visitor economy from $10 billion in annual visitor expenditures to $25 billion by 2035. The outstanding performance of Alberta’s tourism sector through 2023 and the first three quarters of 2024, coupled with Budget 2025’s continued investment in the sector and the responsible, sustainable tourism development that will occur thanks to the recently passed All-Season Resorts Act, Alberta is well on its way to achieving this goal.
“Tourism is a powerful economic driver and continues to have tangible benefits for communities and Albertans throughout our province. There has never been a better time to invest in tourism in Alberta, as the industry drives export revenues, fuels job creation, strengthens local businesses and showcases the province’s incredible natural and cultural assets to the world.”
National Tourism Week is celebrated April 7-11, highlighting the benefits of tourism for Alberta communities in supporting sustainable economic growth and jobs across the province.
Quick facts
As Alberta’s number one service export sector, tourism is a driving force in the provincial economy.
Alberta’s tourism sector employs more than 260,000 people in the province.
In 2023, Alberta broke records, with annual visitor expenditures soaring to $12.7 billion – surpassing the previous record by almost 20 per cent.
In 2023, a record-breaking approximately $3 billion was spent by international visitors to the province, solidifying Alberta’s position as a key destination on the world stage.
From January to September 2024, Alberta tourism revenues were $11.5 billion, compared with $10.5 billion for the same period in 2023 – a 10 per cent increase year over year.
In the first three quarters of 2024, Alberta’s tourism sector growth outpaced every other province, advancing at a rate more than double that of Ontario and British Columbia, and at more than three times the national average.
Statistics Canada determines spending through their Visitor Travel Survey. There is a lag of more than six months between data collection and publication of the data.
Related information
Higher ground: a tourism sector strategy
Related news
Alberta tourism soars to new heights (Sept. 25, 2024)
Alberta tourism shines on the national stage (Jan. 24, 2025)
Source: United States Senator Ted Budd (R-North Carolina)
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.) kicked off his 100 County Tour last week with visits to the following counties in Western North Carolina: Ashe, Watauga, Avery, Mitchell, Yancey, Madison, Buncombe, Henderson, Rutherford, and Polk. On the first leg of his statewide tour, Senator Budd surveyed the storm damage and heard from local officials, small business owners, and community members about their needs on the road to recovery.
“It has been a long six months since Hurricane Helene tore through Western North Carolina, leaving a trail of devastation—leveling homes, flooding schools, destroying businesses, and crippling critical infrastructure. As I began planning my third 100 County Tour, I knew there was no question: I had to start out West.
“Since the storm struck last September, I’ve returned to these communities time and time again to survey the damage and offer support to local officials in their recovery efforts. During my most recent visit to the region, I was deeply moved by the resilience and determination I witnessed from the victims of Helene. In the face of unimaginable hardship, families, small business owners, local officials, law enforcement, and neighbors are going out of their way to lift one another up and reach out a helping hand.
“I am fully committed to doing everything in my power in the U.S. Senate to secure the resources and relief these communities desperately need. Together, we will rebuild and create a stronger and more prosperous Western North Carolina,” said Senator Budd.
Follow Senator Budd on Flickr to see photos from the 100 County Tour HERE or click below to view individual albums.
Background on Senator Budd’s Visits to WNC:
Ashe County—Senator Budd made the first stop on his third 100 County Tour in the Town of Lansing, where he met with Mayor Mack Powers to survey damage caused by Hurricane Helene and speak with impacted members of the community.
Watauga County—Senator Budd toured the flooded Valle Crucis Elementary School to assess the damage caused after the building was submerged in four feet of water during the storm, displacing hundreds of students. Additionally, Senator Budd viewed the wreckage at the Valle Crucis United Methodist Church, which also withstood severe flooding.
Avery County—Senator Budd met with local officials at the county’s debris processing site to gain an understanding of the obstacles facing local contractors removing debris caused by the hurricane to expedite the rebuilding process.
Mitchell County—Senator Budd visited the Deyton School, where he met with county officials and received a briefing from the Baptists On Mission on operations to rebuild damaged homes for families who suffered property loss.
Yancey County—Senator Budd spent time with the West Yancey Volunteer Fire Department, personally thanking emergency personnel for their critical role in providing aid during and after the storm to local residents. He also spoke with individuals spearheading Operation Helo, a volunteer organization supporting victims of Helene, and met with displaced North Carolinians who are continuing to work through the FEMA approval process.
Madison County—Senator Budd discussed rebuilding assistance with the leadership of the Rebuild Hot Springs Area, including small business owners, local officials, and residents, to reaffirm his commitment to securing disaster relief aid to repair damage to the downtown commercial district, key tourist areas, and surrounding neighborhoods.
Buncombe County—Senator Budd spoke with the students and faculty of Excel College on the progress of their non-profit—a homebuilding operation to rebuild over three hundred homes in the next two-and-a-half years.
Henderson County—Senator Budd recognized the efforts of first responders who relocated to the Gerton Volunteer Fire Department to support recovery operations following Helene. Alongside local officials, Senator Budd also surveyed the damage at the community’s Post Office and the road repairs between Bat Cave and Slick Rock along the Rocky Broad River.
Rutherford County—Senator Budd met with local officials from Lake Lure and Chimney Rock to discuss the community’s rebuilding process and debris removal status with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Polk County—Senator Budd visited with small business owners and vendors from Chimney Rock, Lake Lure, Hendersonville, and Asheville, currently using the Tryon Equestrian Center as their base of operations following the aftermath of the hurricane. The partnership, otherwise known as the “WNC Main Street” program, has been successful in attracting economic support for local businesses from tourism.
Sunderland’s most inspiring, driven and creative young people have been celebrated at an awards ceremony in the city.
Organised by Together for Children, the Sunderland Young Achievers’ Awards have been celebrating the incredible talents and achievements of young people and the positive difference they make to their city for more than thirty years.
This has seen thousands of remarkable young people recognised for their exceptional dedication, resilience, empathy, and strong commitment to their communities.
15-year-old Leon O’Connor Ahmadi who has overcome multiple challenges to become a school leader and community champion was named overall winner of this year’s Sunderland Young Achievers Awards. He also won the Achievement in Learning award.
The judges described Leon, who has learning difficulties, as ‘a remarkable Year 11 student whose perseverance and resilience have defined his educational and personal journey’ and someone who gives ‘110 per cent in everything.’
Leon has been cared for since he left primary school but has never let any of his challenges define him. Attending extra classes and working diligently at home have put him on track to achieve good grades in his GCSEs. He is also a leader in his school community, serving as a sports leader and house captain, and actively working towards his Duke of Edinburgh Award.
In the community, Leon volunteers at various projects and has earned the Champion of the Community Award. His determination has also seen him achieve a brown belt in karate.
Other winners include:
Quinn Lux Lownie – winner of the Young Health and Wellbeing Champion – 12-year-old Quinn has been actively campaigning to educate women about cervical cancer and encourage them to prioritise their health since the age of six. She has raised nearly £110,000 for various charities, including as an ambassador for Amber’s Legacy which works to promote awareness about cervical cancer and the importance of smear tests.
Box Youth Project – winner of the Bringing Communities Together Award – a group of 24 young volunteers who support afterschool activities like music, arts and crafts, sports, games, and E-Sports for 38 weeks a year. Their achievements included securing funding from Sunderland City Council to deliver Christmas Treat Boxes to elderly residents, showcasing intergenerational work in Doxford.
Ellie Storey – winner of the Young Carer Award – 17-year-old Ellie has been a caregiver since the age of two, having supported her mother who has Crohn’s disease, through numerous hospital admissions and treatments, When Ellie was just nine, her brother Shaine was diagnosed with a brain tumour, and she became his nurse, attending every appointment and MRI scan.
Tammy Banks, Chair of the Together for Children Board, said: “These awards shine a light on the incredible accomplishments, talents, and positive contributions of young people in our community, reminding us all of the huge difference they are making every day.
“Their stories are emotional, compassionate, full of success and truly uplifting. They remind us of the kindness, resilience, and dedication that define our young people. Each nominee is making a real difference, and it’s a huge honour to be able to recognise and celebrate their outstanding contributions.”
Councillor Michael Butler, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Child Poverty and Skills at Sunderland City Council said: “The Sunderland Young Achievers Awards provide a platform to recognise exceptional individuals those who have triumphed over adversity, shown extraordinary bravery, demonstrated relentless hard work, or devoted themselves to helping others. They embody the very best of Sunderland.
“More than that, these awards highlight the limitless potential of young achievers the opportunity to achieve big things in life, smash glass ceilings, and become the next generation of leaders. Their determination and ambition will shape the future, inspiring others to dream bigger and reach higher.”
City landmarks Penshaw Monument, Northern Spire bridge, Hylton Castle, Fulwell Mill and Seaburn lighthouse were also lit gold and black on the night of the awards to celebrate this year’s young achievers.
The awards are sponsored by partners and organisations from across Sunderland who make the event possible – Hopespring, Gentoo, Sunderland BID, Everyone Active, Sunderland City Council’s Public Health team and Low Carbon team, Sunderland College and the Northern Academy of Music Education.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David Scott (GA-13)
WASHINGTON D.C. – Today, Congressman David Scott (GA-13), was joined by members of the Georgia delegation in introducing his bipartisan resolution honoring the life and legacy of the late great Henry “Hank” Louis Aaron, highlighting, among many achievements, his home run record which was set on April 8th, 1974.
“On April 8, 1974, Hank Aaron hit his 715th career home run, breaking Babe Ruth’s record of 714. Today we honor not only his baseball accomplishments, but the many contributions he made to this nation. He was more than a baseball icon and a trailblazer – he was also a member of my family, my wife Alfredia’s brother. His strength, grace, and quiet courage changed the game both on and off the field,” said Congressman David Scott. “With every swing of his bat, he set records and with every stride, he walked boldly toward justice and equality. Hank Aaron used his platform to uplift a nation, becoming a symbol of resilience for millions during the civil rights movement and beyond. We miss him dearly—his laughter, his wisdom, his unwavering humility—but we carry him with us. His legacy doesn’t rest in numbers or titles, but in the hearts he stirred, the doors he opened, and the generations he continues to inspire. Hank’s story isn’t just about baseball—it’s about courage, family, and a legacy that helped moved this country forward.”
Hank Aaron is perhaps best known for his pursuit of the Major League Baseball (MLB) all-time home run record set at 714 by Babe Ruth, thought by many to be unbreakable. On April 8, 1974, Mr. Aaron hit the record breaking 715th home run in front of a sold-out crowd at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. Mr. Aaron retired as baseball’s all-time home run leader, a record he held for another 33 years. He remains the MLB all-time leader in career runs batted in (RBIs), career total bases, and career extra base hits.
Throughout his career, Mr. Aaron faced racism and discrimination, including outright death threats during his home run chase. As an African American player in the South, he was in a unique position to advance the cause of equality through his actions both on and off the field. Mr. Aaron poured significant resources and energy into the civil rights movement, including his longtime support of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), his relationship with civil rights leaders such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and his creation of the Hank Aaron Chasing the Dream Foundation, an organization committed to ensuring that children of all backgrounds can fulfill their full potential.
Source: United States Senator for Idaho James E Risch
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) today sent a letter urging states to adhere to President Trump’s Executive Order and keep men out of women’s sports. While states like Idaho and Alabama have taken decisive action to protect women’s sports, many governors have yet to do so, jeopardizing a fair playing field for female athletes.
“State-level action is vital to ensure America’s female athletes receive the same assurance of fairness nationwide. We applaud the many states that have answered the call and taken meaningful action to support President Trump’s Executive Order. These efforts demonstrate a clear commitment to fairness, safety, and the future of women’s sports. However, it is imperative that every state step up to enforce these commonsense protections for female athletes,” wrote the senators. “Allowing biological men to compete in women’s categories directly undermines the opportunities and safety of our female athletes. We urge the states that have not yet taken action to safeguard the integrity of women’s sports to take the necessary steps to align with President Trump’s Executive Order immediately. The safety of women and girls in sports cannot be guaranteed as long as states continue to delay and obstruct the enforcement of this Executive Order.”
Earlier this year, Risch and Tuberville introduced the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act to codify President Trump’s Executive Order. The Senators have also sent letters to the International Olympic Committee urging it to safeguard opportunities of female athletes on the Olympic stage and to the NCAA requesting clarification on its stance on the privacy and safety of female athletes in women’s changing rooms.
Read the full letter to the National Governors Association here.
The £8.1 million Advanced Technology and Automotive Centre (ATAC) at City of Wolverhampton College’s Wellington Road campus in Bilston is in the running for the Building Project of the Year honour.
Winners will be announced at an awards dinner on Thursday 1 May, at Edgbaston Cricket Ground.
ATAC opened to students in September following an 11 month build by contractor Speller Metcalfe.
It will secure hundreds of jobs in the local economy and create learning opportunities for thousands of students – specialising in engineering and automotive, including electric vehicles (EV).
Only last month, luxury car manufacturer, Bentley, enrolled 18 of its manufacturing technicians on electrical apprenticeships at the centre.
Construction of ATAC was funded by £7.7 million from the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), with the remainder from the Black Country LEP.
It has been designed for engineering and automotive studies – with facilities for new electric, hybrid and traditional vehicles, as well fabrication, manufacturing, welding, CAD and robotics.
The centre is delivering a multi skilled flexible workforce addressing skills shortages in the city. Almost 5,500 learners and 954 apprenticeships are forecast over the first 10 years of the centre.
Phase 2 of the City Learning Quarter masterplan is in progress with McLaughlin & Harvey constructing a city centre campus that will pave the way for the college to move from its Paget Road site, while Speller Metcalfe is delivering transformational works on the neighbouring Adult Education Wolverhampton and Central Library facilities.
The courses the purpose built Bilston centre host are not suitable for the city centre location.
City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for City Development, Jobs and Skills, Councillor Chris Burden, said: “The Advanced Technology and Automotive Centre is a fantastic new facility and to be shortlisted for this award is testament to that.
“It was built on time and on budget and is already delivering positive outcomes in terms of our education and skills offer in Wolverhampton.
“Advanced technology and automotive is a rapidly growing economic sector, creating learning and jobs opportunities for people of all ages in our city and beyond.
“It aligns with Wolverhampton’s strong credentials as a front runner in green industries, which will be further supported by the development of our Green Innovation Corridor as one of the 3 pillars in the West Midlands Investment Zone.”
Peter Merry, Deputy Principal and Chief Executive of the College, said: “The Advanced Technology and Automotive Centre was designed with the requirement of students, apprentices, employers and the wider engineering and automotive sectors at its heart and enabled courses to be transferred from our Paget Road campus for the start of the academic year in September 2024.
“Students are benefitting from learning in purpose built premises with industry standard equipment and facilities and, with so much construction taking place across the region, we are delighted that it has been shortlisted for the Building Project of the Year Award.”
ALBUQUERQUE – A federal jury convicted a former University of New Mexico football player on charges of conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine while incarcerated at Cibola County Correctional Center. The verdict came after a five-day trial and approximately three-and-a-half hours of deliberation.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, while in custody awaiting trial for the 2022-armed robbery of a U.S. Postal Service employee, Rayshawn Boyce, 29, was implicated in a separate case involving drug trafficking within the Cibola County Correctional Center (CCCC). On May 17, 2022, CCCC personnel conducted a search of a unit and discovered a bag containing approximately one pound of methamphetamine in the shower area.
Photo of drugs in shower area
Review of surveillance footage revealed that on the evening of May 16, 2022, Correctional Officer Gabriella Torres smuggled a bundle of methamphetamine into the facility under her hoodie and dropped it in cell in an area that was not covered by a camera for Boyce to retrieve. A short time later, Boyce retrieved the bundle, concealed it in a blanket, and walked back to his cell. When he learned that the jail was being searched the next day, Boyce moved the bundle from his cell in the middle of the night, submerged it in water, and left it near the showers, where it was found that morning by CCCC personnel.
Federal investigators determined that Boyce and Torres were in a romantic relationship, during which Boyce persuaded Torres to smuggle drugs into the CCCC. On two separate occasions, Torres successfully smuggled marijuana into the facility for Boyce to distribute. Boyce instructed buyers to send payments through a CashApp account he had Torres established specifically for these transactions. On May 16, 2022, Boyce coordinated the delivery of a methamphetamine shipment to Torres for smuggling into CCCC.
Torres pled guilty to one count of conspiracy and remains on conditions of release pending sentencing, which is not currently scheduled. At sentencing, Torres could face 10 years to life in prison followed by three years of supervised release.
Following the verdict, the Court ordered that Boyce remain in custody pending sentencing, which has not been scheduled. At sentencing, Boyce faces a mandatory minimum term of ten years of imprisonment and up to life.
In April 2024, a federal jury convicted Boyce of robbing a postal carrier, stealing an arrow key belonging to the United States Postal Service, and being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm. At sentencing for this prior conviction, Boyce faces up to ten years in prison followed by three years of supervised release.
There is no parole in the federal system.
Acting U.S. Attorney Holland S. Kastrin and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
The FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from Cibola County Correctional Center and CoreCivic. Assistant United States Attorneys Letitia Carroll Simms and Joseph M. Spindle are prosecuting the case.
Headline: WHAT THE CLASH? joins Apple Arcade in May, among five new games
April 8, 2025
UPDATE
Five new games join Apple Arcade in May, including WHAT THE CLASH?, an exciting addition to the award-winning WHAT THE GAMES? series
A fun mix of five games joins Apple Arcade on May 1, including WHAT THE CLASH?, a quirky, fast-paced multiplayer game that combines playful activities like table tennis, archery, racing, and tag. Launching exclusively on Apple Arcade, WHAT THE CLASH? is the follow-up to indie developer Triband’s critically acclaimed racing comedy game WHAT THE CAR?, winner of Mobile Game of Year at the 2024 D.I.C.E. Awards.
Players can also jump into with My Buddy, a cozy simulation game where players bond with and care for virtual puppies and kittens; LEGO Friends Heartlake Rush+, a fast-paced endless racing game; the popular word search game Words of Wonders: Search+; and SUMI SUMI : Matching Puzzle+, a charming matching game featuring popular San-X characters like Rilakkuma and Sumikko Gurashi. These new additions join Arcade’s hit collection of over 200 games, all free from ads and in-app purchases.
WHAT THE CLASH? by Triband Play solo or challenge friends to one-on-one battles in this hilarious party game. Players unlock modifier cards to create absurd combos like giraffle, toasty archery, sticky tennis, milk the fish, and more. They’ll climb the leaderboards, enter tournaments, or find new card combinations to make each match a chaotic and fun surprise with quirky twists. With simple touch controls, everyone plays as The Hand, a charming and stretchy hand with legs that players can customize with hundreds of combinations of unlockable items like eye patches, dresses, and earrings. Competitors will have to outplay and outgoof their opponents as they go hand-to-hand with family and friends in some seriously silly showdowns.
with My Buddy by Neilo Inc. Animal lovers will adore with My Buddy, a heartwarming game where players bond with a variety of dogs and cats, each with their own personality and appearance. Players will experience their pets’ growth, nurturing them through each stage of their lives and dressing them in unique outfits to express their individuality. With the ability to decorate their pets’ spaces and interact with them anytime, anywhere, this game brings the joy of companionship to life.
LEGO Friends Heartlake Rush+ by StoryToys Race through Heartlake City with the LEGO Friends and their pets in this colorful, fast-paced adventure. Players can jump behind the wheel as Aliya, Autumn, Nova, Leo, Liann, and more, customizing their cars with unique colors, decals, tires, toppers, and trails. While speeding through vibrant streets, they must dodge obstacles and collect treasures, completing exciting missions to unlock amazing rewards.
Words of Wonders: Search+ by Fugo Games In this hit word search game, players look for hidden words on the board while exploring iconic landmarks to uncover the secrets of the world. As they progress through levels themed around a variety of subjects, players will discover new words, challenge their knowledge, and strategize their way to success as they solve the mystery that words hide.
SUMI SUMI : Matching Puzzle+ by Imagineer Featuring beloved characters like Rilakkuma and Sumikko Gurashi from Japanese character manufacturing company San-X, this game invites players into the charming world of kawaii matching puzzles. With simple tap-to-match mechanics, engaging yet relaxing gameplay, and beautifully designed maps, SUMI SUMI : Matching Puzzle+ offers a perfect blend of strategy and fun for fans of cute puzzle games.
This month, players can also look forward to content updates to their favorite Arcade games, playable across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Vision Pro, including Hello Kitty Island Adventure, PGA TOUR Pro Golf, and WHAT THE CAR?.
Hello Kitty Island Adventure by Sunblink: April 16 marks the opening of the City Town Orchards, available only on Apple Arcade. Work with Keroppi, Usahana, and Wish me mell to help the city go green with rooftop fruit trees and delicious new offerings at the Imagination Cafe.
PGA TOUR Pro Golfby HypGames: Coinciding with the real-life tournament on April 17, players can tee off virtually at the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links.
WHAT THE CAR? by Triband: On April 10, new skins, new levels, and a new map will be added in this “suspicious” update.
Apple Arcade is available for $6.99 (U.S.) per month with a one-month free trial. Customers who purchase a new iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV receive three months of Apple Arcade for free.1
Apple Arcade is part of Apple One’s Individual ($19.95 U.S.), Family ($25.95 U.S.), and Premier ($37.95 U.S.) monthly plans, with a one-month free trial.2
Arcade Originals are playable across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Vision Pro. App Store Greats are available on iPhone, iPad, and Vision Pro.
An Apple Arcade subscription gives a family of up to six unlimited access to all the games in its catalog.
Availability for the 200+ games across devices varies based on hardware and software compatibility. Some content may not be available in all areas.
This offer is available to new subscribers only. One subscription covers one Family Sharing group. The offer is good for three months after eligible device activation. The plan automatically renews until canceled. Restrictions and other terms apply.
The Apple One free trial includes only services that are not currently used through a free trial or a subscription. The plan automatically renews after the trial until canceled. Restrictions and other terms apply.