Posts in category: News & Gossip

IUCN expressed its concern regarding the progression of the European Commission’s proposal in light of its importance for nature, for people, for the economy and for a prosperous and resilient future. Biodiversity in Europe is facing dramatic declines, while the effects of climate change are being felt increasingly, putting communities at risk, both in terms of health and employment. This is primarily due to such climate change-related threats as floods, wildfires and drought. It is clear that many industries, especially agriculture and forestry, depend on nature as an ally to prevent and adapt to these proliferating impacts caused by climate change.

When the nature restoration law proposal was first tabled on 22 June 2022, IUCN welcomed the binding targets for the restoration of nature, as a central pillar of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and the Farm to Fork Strategy. The proposal would also be a vital step for the implementation of the EU’s international commitments under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework following CBD COP15 in December 2022. Without a meaningful and targeted regulation for the restoration of nature, the ambition expressed under these crucial policies would be heavily undermined. 

The European Commission’s proposal is currently being reviewed and amended by EU Member States and Members of the European Parliament. The Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee of the European Parliament is due to vote on its amendments to the proposal in mid-June.

IUCN therefore calls on the European Parliament, the European Commission and the Presidency of the Council of the European Union to work together to ensure that an ambitious Nature Restoration Law is adopted later this year.

For further information, contact Alberto Arroyo Schnell, Senior Manager: Policy and Programme, European Regional Office, IUCN

Lloyd Gock, a survivor of the mass shooting at a Monterey Park dance studio on Jan. 21, spoke to federal lawmakers on Monday, June 5, describing the nightmare he witnessed and the mental health impacts he has suffered since.

Gock shared his story of being inside the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park when a gunman entered during a social event, wielding a modified semi-automatic weapon and opened fire, killing 11, all seniors, and injuring nine.

On Monday, Gock joined a panel of gun reform advocates, to demand lawmakers to take immediate action. His goal, he told members at the forum, was to “not let the agenda of the gunman to prevail.”

The attack at the dance studio — once a community hub for many, especially Asian Americans, and now on the brink of being closed for good — left witnesses like Gock and others scarred.

“I was 10 feet away from the gunman. I will never forget the sound and the 42 gunshots, within minutes. The sound of people falling on the ground. I will never forget seeing so many people lying there, covered in blood. When I got up, I realized in my horror that many of those killed or wounded were my friends,” Gock said. “It is a haunting memory that I and many others will have to live with for the rest of our lives.”

Gock also shared that he lives with anxiety and fear, has isolated himself more, and is “unable to dance as much.”

Dance was once a regular part of his life, and an important part of Gock’s own healing process while he struggled with depression. Ballroom dancing was a safe haven for the local Asian American community for many years, he said.

“For weeks, I had nightmares, could not sleep, and was afraid of the dark. Four months later, the traumatic effects on all of us are still there,” Gock said.

Still, he shared that he participates in a local support group of about 20 other survivors of the attack, who “check up on each other” regularly through WeChat. He also participated in a local community healing dance in Alhambra in May, hosted by Asian Americans Advancing Justice.

Monday’s House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force panel, chaired by Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Santa Rosa, included Rep. Judy Chu — whose congressional district includes Monterey Park — and gun-control and mental health advocates, researchers, educators, parent groups, law enforcement and others sharing their testimonials.

They called for more federal funding for community mental health resources, secure background checks, and enhanced red flag laws — which can identify potential attackers, based on signs that a person might be a threat to themselves or others.

Gock pleaded for a federal ban on assault weapons and large-capacity magazines, calling them “weapons of war that have no place in our life.” He said that bilingual gun safety education in immigrant communities is critical.

“We need to educate our Asian American immigrant communities about red flag laws in multiple languages, because English isn’t always the primary language for many of us, so that potential gunmen who are mentally unstable will be reported and their guns taken away from them,” he said. “We need more funding to destigmatize mental health in our AAPI communities so that people who are struggling emotionally and psychologically can get the help they need before they turn to violence.”

The Monterey Park massacre in January was one of 276 American mass shootings reported this year. Last year, there were 647, according to the Gun Violence Archive, which tracks mass shootings as incidents in which at least four victims were shot, either injured or killed, not including any shooter who may also have been killed or injured in the incident.

The Monterey Park shooting prompted official visits from Vice President Kamala Harris and from President Joe Biden, with Biden calling for a ban on assault weapons, much as he did during his State of the Union Address in February. It also prompted the Monterey Park City Council to support numerous local, state and federal gun reform bills.

But even as the number of mass shootings in the U.S. threatens to outpace last year’s number, there’s been no movement in a divided Congress, these advocates said. What happened in Monterey Park in January renewed the conversation and the politics on how to stop America’s growing problem.

June is also National Gun Violence Awareness Month. Task force officials cited firearms as the leading cause of death for youth in the U.S.

The Buffalo Bills didn’t have depth on their side when pass rusher Von Miller tore his ACL last season. Now the team is turning to one of his former teammates, agreeing to terms with outside linebacker Leonard Floyd on a one-year deal, the team confirmed Tuesday. The deal is worth $7 million with sack incentives that can push it to $9 million, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

The 30-year-old spent the past three seasons with the Los Angeles Rams. He recorded 29 sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception in that span. He notched nine sacks this season and 10.5 sacks in 2020 when he first joined the team.

The move to add Floyd late in free agency comes after the Bills didn’t add to their defensive line during the draft in April. Instead, the team signed defensive tackle Poona Ford to a one-year, $2.25 million deal in May. Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver also recently agreed on a four-year, $68 million extension, which the team made official on Monday.

Miller is expected to need at least nine months to recover from his ACL injury, which puts Floyd in position to fill his absence and add an extra edge when he returns. The pair won Super Bowl LVI together at the end of the 2021 season while playing for the Rams, with Floyd recording five tackles and a sack in the win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

Current Bills pass rushers A.J. Epenesa, Gregory Rousseau, Shaq Lawson and Boogie Basham will likely benefit from the additional experience and championship expertise.

Floyd, a former Georgia Bulldog, was released by the Rams earlier this offseason. In his time there, he had at least nine sacks, seven tackles for loss and 18 quarterback hits per season. Before that, he was drafted by the Chicago Bears with the No. 9 overall pick in 2016. He spent the first four years of his career there. Across his entire career, he has 47.5 sacks, 103 quarterback hits, 338 tackles, and three forced fumbles.

MACKINAC ISLAND, MI – Sometimes, even Michigan’s most famous veterinarian needs a little downtime on Mackinac Island.

Dr. Jan Pol, star of the long-running Nat Geo Wild series “The Incredible Dr. Pol,” was on Mackinac Island over the weekend with his co-star and wife, Diane. And they did the most Mackinac thing ever during their trip, stepping into one of Ryba’s Fudge Shops for a sweet purchase. An excited employee snapped a photo of the Pols outside the Main Street shop – one of four Ryba’s locations on the island.

It was posted to Ryba’s Facebook page and quickly earned hundreds of likes from fans on social media.

“Look who we found outside our shop! It’s Dr. Pol, trusted friend to all creatures,” Ryba’s captioned the photo post.

Dr. Pol’s reality TV series follows the Dutch-born veterinarian and his expanding clinic crew on visits to mid-Michigan farms to treat large and exotic animals. Dogs, cats and other small animals also visit his clinic. Pol Veterinary Services is located in Weidman, which is in Isabella County. The TV series started in 2011 and is now in its 22nd season.

And no, we don’t know what flavors of Ryba’s fudge the Pols purchased (yes, we asked). We just hope they brought enough to take home and share with their hard-working employees.

RELATED: Learn to make your own fudge at this Mackinac Island shop

RELATED: Michigan’s ‘Incredible Dr. Pol’ reveals insights into life on the farm

When it comes to reality TV scandals, they don’t get much juicier than the explosive affair that rocked Vanderpump Rules. The revelation that Tom Sandoval had cheated on Ariana Madix with Raquel Leviss sent shockwaves throughout the entertainment industry, and it seems even A-list celebrities couldn’t resist chiming in on the drama.

Joining the ranks of outspoken stars, Kaley Cuoco, renowned for her roles in Big Bang Theory, Harley Quinn, and The Flight Attendant, made her opinions known at the premiere of her new Peacock show, Based on a True Story. During an interview with Variety, Kaley didn’t shy away from discussing the Scandoval affair.

Prompted by the question, “What’s the closest you’ve ever been to a crime?” Kaley wasted no time delving into the scandal. Expressing her shock and disbelief, she exclaimed, “What the f***, man? I had no idea. ” The FBI’s involvement in the case only added to the gravity of the situation, making Kaley’s reaction all the more relatable.

Not only did Kaley voice her surprise, but she also reached out to Ariana on Instagram, showcasing her support for the betrayed star. Kaley’s solidarity with Ariana explains why Tom may be feeling a twinge of jealousy towards his former partner.

When asked about the potential return of Tom and Raquel to the show, Kaley didn’t hold back. “They’re dead to me,” she declared, clearly disappointed by their actions. However, Kaley also emphasized that she would respect Ariana’s wishes, stating, “If she’s comfortable with it, then I’m comfortable with it.” It’s a testament to Kaley’s loyalty and understanding of the dynamics within the Vanderpump Rules cast.

But Kaley’s investment in the scandal didn’t stop at social media support. She humorously revealed that she even took her frustrations out on her fiancé, Tom Polphrey, jokingly admonishing him, “Don’t be named Tom!” It’s clear that Kaley’s passion for the show runs deep, and she’s not afraid to let her emotions show.

Also read | Vanderpump Rules’ explosive affair turns drama into dollars, guess who is making profits?

As the Vanderpump Rules Season 10 reunion draws near, fans eagerly await the explosive conclusion to this unforgettable chapter. Tune in on Wednesday, June 7, at 9/8c on Bravo to witness the aftermath of the Scandoval affair and see how the cast navigates the fallout. One thing is for certain: Kaley Cuoco has brought her unfiltered opinions to the forefront, adding an extra layer of intrigue to an already captivating story.

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A Republican state senator in New Jersey is fighting to hold on to the nomination after his surprise victory in 2021 ousted the Senate president. On the other side of the aisle, two long-time Democratic state senators are vying against each other for another chance to represent their party in the state Legislature.

It’s Primary Election Day on Tuesday, when polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 8 p.m., although it’s not the only day ballots will be cast. In-person voting was held over the weekend and mail-in ballots have been available to voters who prefer them for weeks.

New Jersey has no statewide races on the ballot this year, however both chambers of the Democrat-led Legislature are up for grabs in the November election.

LONGTIME NJ SENATE PRESIDENT CONCEDES TO GOP TRUCK DRIVER ED DURR

Democrats have a 46-34 advantage in the Assembly and a 25-15 margin in the Senate, but control won’t be decided until November. This year’s primary stands out because there’s only a handful of contested races.

In southern New Jersey, incumbent Republican Sen. Ed Durr is facing a challenge from incumbent GOP Assemblywoman Beth Sawyer in the 3rd Legislative District.

Durr had worked as a furniture delivery truck driver when he shocked the state by defeating Steve Sweeney, the Senate president.

NJ Sen. Richard Codey speaks at a fundraiser at the GreenBrook County Club on Oct. 20, 2007, in North Caldwell, New Jersey. Codey has been endorsed by Gov. Phil Murphy in this year’s election. (Steven Henry/Getty Images)

At the time Sawyer, a real estate broker, was his running mate. In New Jersey, candidates from the same party typically run on a joint ticket in their district, even if they’re seeking different seats. As a team they swept the Democrats who held the Senate seat and two Assembly seats, helping the GOP net seven seats.

NEW JERSEY REPUBLICAN SWITCHES PARTIES AFTER FALLING OUT WITH LEADERSHIP

In northern New Jersey, a Democratic contest in the 27th Legislative District has captured some attention, with Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy weighing in.

Incumbent senators Dick Codey and Nia Gill are competing to lengthen their already decadeslong political careers.

Gill has been in the Senate since 2002. She was a long-shot candidate for Senate president after Sweeney was ousted, but lost to Sen. Nicholas Scutari, a fellow Democrat.

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Codey, who served as governor from November 2004 until January 2006, has been in the state Senate since 1982. Their primary contest comes after redistricting left Gill’s hometown inside the district currently held by Codey.

Endorsing Codey, Murphy called him a “hardworking and dedicated” public servant.” Murphy didn’t mention Gill although the two have agreed on legislation previously, including bills to tighten the state’s gun laws.