MOHAWK FEDERATION COVERS ONT. QUE & NY

Indigenous land defenders demonstrate against real estate development in Kanesatake, Que.

Duration: 02:17 

A demonstration was held on Saturday on the Mohawk territory of Kanesatake, Que., where residents are calling on authorities to stop a real estate development they say is on their ancestral land. Global's Dan Spector reports

 Global News

Ford to make EV batteries in U.S. with South Korea innovation firm

Ford CEO Jim Farley compared the battery venture to the building of engines and powertrain components in the early 1900s and said it will safeguard against future shortages. File Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI | License Photo

May 20 (UPI) -- Ford announced on Thursday that it will partner with South Korean battery maker SK Innovation to manufacture electric vehicle batteries in the United States.

The joint venture will be called BlueOvalSK and production is expected to begin in a few years.


"It's a key part of our plan to vertically integrate key capabilities that will differentiate Ford far into the future," said Ford President and CEO Jim Farley said in a statement.

"We will not cede our future to anyone else."
RELATED Ford unveils electric F-150 as Biden tours electric plant



Farley compared the production of battery cells to the building of engines and powertrain components in the early 1900s, adding that it will safeguard against future shortages.

During the unveiling of Ford's new electric F-150 Lightning pickup on Wednesday, Farley said the company has to "in-source" now as the industry changes. President Joe Biden got a look at the pickup a day early during a visit to Ford's plant in Dearborn, Mich. -- and even took it for a spin.

Biden's administration is pushing to get more electric vehicles on American roads. The electric F-150 is expected to go on sale in mid-2022.
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Biden has proposed spending $174 billion to support electric vehicle manufacturing as part of his American Jobs Plan.

"Look, the future of the auto industry is electric," Biden said during his trip to Dearborn. "There's no turning back. The only question is whether we'll lead the race or fall behind."

The BlueOvalSK venture is subject to regulatory approval.

RELATED In first EV report, IEA says electric vehicles will reach 145M by end of 2020s

"Ford is one of the most active players in vehicle electrification today," said SK Innovation CEO and President Kim Jun in Thursday's announcement.

SK Innovation, headquartered in Seoul, has manufactured mid- to large-size electric vehicle batteries since 1991. It also operates a battery plant in Georgia.

Korea's top shipper, HMM, reports record profits amid COVID-19

By Kang Hye-young & Kim Tae-gyu, UPI News Korea

A container vessel of South Korea’s top shipper HMM is displayed. Global shippers have booked record profits during the first quarter of this year thanks to surging cargo demand amid the pandemic. Photo courtesy of HMM


SEOUL, May 19 (UPI) -- Soaring shipping demands amid the COVID-19 pandemic have helped South Korea's top shipper, HMM, rack up record profits during the first three months of 2021.

HMM, formerly known as Hyundai Merchant Marine, announced Friday that its first-quarter operating profit amounted to $905 million -- exceeding its full-year 2020 profit of $871 million.

It is the highest quarterly performance HMM has achieved since its establishment in 1976. The company, which is owned by state-run Korea Development Bank, also booked first-quarter sales of $2.1 billion, up 85 percent from a year before.

During the January-March period, HMM's container-handling volumes rose 6.7 percent year on year thanks to strong shipping demand.

HMM has proactively tried to clear a backlog of exports out of South Korea, which is home to big exporters such as Samsung Electronics and Hyundai Motor. The container line said it had added 24 extra-loader vessels to deal with increased shipping demand.

HMM competitors also chalked up solid performances this year as shipping demands across the world have stirred a global surge in freight rates.

Maersk's net profit surged to $2.7 billion, up from $197 million in 2020. Its shipping volume rose 5.7 percent.

The Danish firm is the world's leading container ship operator.

"Thanks to increased cargo demand, global shippers logged huge profits in the first quarter. Their bottom lines are expected to stay strong throughout this year," Korea Investment & Securities analyst Choi Go-woon told UPI News Korea.

"In particular, the Suez Canal fiasco will boost profitability of shippers in the second quarter," he said.

RELATED LG strives to build general-purpose AI

The Suez Canal was blocked during late March and early April when a huge container ship was we

The Suez Canal was blocked during late March and early April when a huge container ship was wedged, disrupting the global supply chain and raising freight rates.

In contrast, KTB Investment & Securities' Lee Han-joon said it remains to be seen whether the bullish run of global shippers will continue.

"The cargo fares jumped in an unprecedented way because of the rising demand. But there are some signs that the supply shortage is easing," Lee said.

HMM lost 1.95 percent in the South Korean stock exchange on Monday.dged, disrupting the global supply chain and raising freight rates.

In contrast, KTB Investment & Securities' Lee Han-joon said it remains to be seen whether the bullish run of global shippers will continue.

"The cargo fares jumped in an unprecedented way because of the rising demand. But there are some signs that the supply shortage is easing," Lee said.

HMM lost 1.95 percent in the South Korean stock exchange on Monday.

EMOTIONAL PLAGUE=FASCISM

Study: Online support for extremist groups Boogaloo, IS evolved in similar ways


A mathematical equation can help explain how extremist movements evolve on the Internet, and researchers say it could help to limit how groups as diverse as the Boogaloos and IS grow. Photo by Neil Johnson/George Washington University

May 19 (UPI) -- New analysis suggests online support for extremists groups, including the Boogaloos and the Islamic State, or IS, emerges and evolves in similar ways.

For the study, published Wednesday in the journal Scientific Reports, scientists looked at the mathematical patterns that defined early support for the Boogaloos, a far right group implicated in the storming of the U.S. Capitol in January.

Scientists found online support for the Boogaloos looked like a lot like the emergence of IS.

"This study helps provide a better understanding of the emergence of extremist movements in the U.S. and worldwide," lead author Neil Johnson, professor of physics at George Washington University, said in a news release.

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"By identifying hidden common patterns in what seem to be completely unrelated movements, topped with a rigorous mathematical description of how they develop, our findings could help social media platforms disrupt the growth of such extremist groups," Johnson said.

The Boogaloos are an extremist libertarian group that describes itself as a "militia." The anti-government group claims to be preparing for a civil war. Factions of the movement also subscribe to white supremacist and neo-Nazi ideology.

By contrast, members of IS, which has been categorized as a terrorist organization by the U.S. government, advocate for a radicalized form of Islamic theocracy. The group is responsible for dozens of violent terrorist attacks across the globe.

RELATED For more equitable cities, researchers say to keep social networks intact

Despite their differences in ideology and origins, the evolution of online support for the two groups followed the same shockwave mathematical equation.

Because online extremism can manifest itself in real world violence, some policy makers suggest more must be done to curb the growth of extremist groups on social media platforms.

Traditionally, social media companies have tried to limit the growth of extremist groups through aggressive content moderation and the promotion of users providing counter messaging, but the authors of the latest study suggest these methods have significant limitations.

RELATED Technology, social media help law enforcement track down Capitol rioters

The good news, researchers say, is that because the growth of online extremism follows uniform patterns, a one-size-fits-most approach -- if well-designed -- could be used to thwart all sorts of extremist groups.

"One key aspect we identified is how these extremist groups assemble and combine into communities, a quality we call their 'collective chemistry'," said study co-author Yonatan Lupu, an associate professor of political science at George Washington.

"Despite the sociological and ideological differences in these groups, they share a similar collective chemistry in terms of how communities grow. This knowledge is key to identifying how to slow them down or even prevent them from forming in the first place," Lupu said.

upi.com/7097155

 

Lego unveils 'Everyone is Awesome' 

set to celebrate Pride Month 

Lego Vice President of Design Matt Ashton shows the LGBTQ-themed set. Photo courtesy Lego

May 20 (UPI) -- Toymaker Lego announced Thursday that it will start selling its first LGBTQ-themed set next month, in recognition of Pride Month.

The 11-figure set, called "Everyone is Awesome," was inspired by the rainbow flag and Lego bodies that include different hairstyles and shapes.

The set will go on sale June 1.

"I wanted to create a model that symbolizes inclusivity and celebrates everyone, no matter how they identify or who they love," Lego Vice President of Design Matthew Ashton said in a statement. "Everyone is unique, and with a little more love, acceptance and understanding in the world, we can all feel more free to be our true Awesome selves.

"This model shows that we care and that we truly believe 'Everyone is awesome.'"

We're super excited to reveal our new set - LEGO Everyone is Awesome! Because we celebrate every LEGO builder ❤️ #LEGO #EveryoneIsAwesome pic.twitter.com/J7KSz3zWik— LEGO (@LEGO_Group) May 20, 2021

The figures are part of a 346-piece model and will be made available on Lego's website and Lego-branded stores.

"I am fortunate to be a part of a proud, supportive and passionate community of colleagues and fans," Ashton added. "We share a love for creativity and self-expression through Lego bricks and this set is a way to show my gratitude."

Ashton has developed multiple sets over his 20 years at the company and was executive producer of The Lego Movie in 2014.

Cyclist dive-bombed by hawk on California road



May 21 (UPI) -- A California cyclist captured video of his close encounter with a hawk that dive-bombed at his head while he was riding.

Kevin Mahan, chief photographer for KSEE-TV/KGPE-TV, said he was riding near Temperance Avenue and Highway 180 in Clovis when he noticed some birds overhead.

"As I'm going, I notice there's a few birds in the air, and I don't think much of it, I just put my head down and keep pedaling," Mahan told the station. "All of a sudden, I hear a 'tic tic.'"

Mahan's helmet camera captured the hawk coming within inches of him, appearing to try to grab the camera from the top of his head.

"I didn't realize how big and sharp those were until I did the screengrab," Mahan said. "I was like, 'Holy cow, that could have been a lot worse than it was.'"

Mahan described the incident as a "hawkward encounter" in a YouTube post.

Mahan said members of local cycling groups on social media told him they had encountered the same bird in the same area. He said one friend reported being dive-bombed by the hawk four times.

Newly discovered flower mimics the smell of rotting insects to trap coffin flies



A one-of-its-kind flower species in Greece mimics the smell of rotting insects to attract and trap flies in order use their pollination services. Photo by T. Rupp, B. Oelschlägel, K. Rabitsch et al.\

May 21 (UPI) -- Scientists have uncovered the deceptive pollination tactics of a first-of-its-kind flower that mimics the scent of decaying insects to attract and entrap so-called coffin flies.

Flies from the genus Megaselia don't like to eat rotting flesh -- instead, they mate atop and lay their eggs inside decaying insect corpses.

Over millions of years, the flower Aristolochia microstoma -- described Friday in the journal Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution -- evolved foul-smelling flowers.

The novel flower isn't carnivorous, though. Rather, it traps flies to utilize their pollination services.

RELATED Amber fossil proves Cretaceous beetle ate pollen of flowering plants

Once trapped inside the putrid scented petals, the coffin flies pollinate the female organs before being coated in pollen by the male organs.

"Here we show that the flowers of A. microstoma emit an unusual mix of volatiles that includes alkylpyrazines, which are otherwise rarely produced by flowering plants," co-author Stefan Dötterl said in press release.

"Our results suggest that this is the first known case of a flower that tricks pollinators by smelling like dead and rotting insects rather than vertebrate carrion," said Dötterl, professor and head of the plant ecology group at the Paris Lodron University of Salzburg in Austria.

RELATED Insect diversity boosts longterm stability of crop pollination services

A small minority of plants -- 4 to 6 percent -- are pollinated under false pretenses, using appearance or scent to advertise an absent award to pollinators.

Many orchids use deceptive pollination, as do many members of the genus Aristolochia.

"Aristolochia contains over 550 species around the world, especially in the tropics and subtropics," study co-author Christoph Neinhuis said in the release.

RELATED Full-bellied fossil suggests flies were active pollinators 47 million years ago

"They are mostly woody vines and herbaceous perennials with striking, complex flowers that temporarily imprison their visitors to get pollinated," said Neinhuis, a professor and cultivator of one of the largest Aristolochia collections in the world at Dresden University of Technology's Botanical Garden.

Small hairs inside the petals of Aristolochia flowers guide trapped insects toward the sexual organs. On their way down, pollen from the insect is deposited onto the female organs.

The presence of the trapped insect causes the stamen to ripen and release pollen to be carried elsewhere. After pollination, the hairs whither and the insect can escape.

To lure flies and other insects, Aristolochia give off the scent of rotting carrion and other fetid fragrances. But while the petals of Aristolochia flowers are often big and showy, A. microstoma, which is native to Greece, boasts small, brown flowers.

For the study, scientists collected 240 arthropods that became trapped inside the petals of the unusual Greek flower.

Researchers found flies from four families, as well as centipedes and springtails. Many of the captured flies were species known to frequent foul-smelling flowers.

Using gas chromatography with mass spectrometry, researchers analyzed the compounds A. microstoma uses to emit such a pungent smell.

Scientists identified 16 compounds, including several nitrogen- and sulfur-bearing volatile molecules. Several of the compounds featured oligosulfides, a molecule commonly used by Aristolochia flowers to replicate the smell of rancid meat.

Researchers also identified the presence of 2,5-dimethylpyrazine, which conjures the scent of rice or roasted peanuts.

The molecule, which is known to emanate from decomposing beetles and rodent urine, is rare among flower fragrances.

"Earlier studies had suggested that A. microstoma might be pollinated by leaf litter-dwelling insects such as ants, because of the orientation and position of the flowers," said Dötterl.

"But here we show that this isn't correct: instead, the main pollinators are Megaselia coffin flies. As their name suggests, these flies feed on carrion, on which they lay their eggs and which serves as food for the larvae, which is why they are often used as evidence in forensic medicine," he said.

400-year-old English coin found by archaeologists in Maryland

May 21 (UPI) -- A Maryland museum said archaeologists searching for the location of an early English settlement uncovered a rare clue: a silver coin dating from the 17th century.

Travis Parno, director of research and collections at the Historic St. Mary's City museum, said archaeologists working to locate the original site of St. Mary's Fort, one of the earliest English settlements in North America, found the silver coin bearing the image of King Charles I.

"It didn't exactly have the date printed on it, but it was pretty much the next best thing," Parno told CNN. "It had a maker's mark that was only used in 1633 and 1634, so it might as well have had the date printed on it, to be honest."

Parno said the team has now identified the location of the fort, which was first settled around the same time the coin was minted.

"At this point, we've got a confluence of data that says this is without a doubt, the remains of St. Mary's Fort," Parno said. "The coin definitely helped. It was kind of like the cherry on top."

Parno said the coin was an unusual find, as goods, services and land were more often purchased at the time using tobacco.

Excavation efforts at the site of the fort are ongoing.

Israeli archaeologists discover rare ancient oil lamp

(7 images)

The Israel Antiquities Authority said Wednesday that archaeologists recently found a rare ancient bronze oil lamp in the City of David National Park in Israel. Here's a look at the discovery.

Photos by Debbie Hill


Archeologist Ari Levy holds a rare bronze oil lamp, from the Roman Period 70 CE, discovered during excavations in the City of David's Pilgrimage Road by the Israel Antiquities Authority on Wednesday in East Jerusalem. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI
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The half grotesque face lamp was intentionally buried for luck and is a common Roman artistic motif, similar to the theatrical mask, with a handle like the Acanthus plant. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI
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An overview of excavations in the City of David National Park. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI
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Workers for the Israel Antiquities Authority dig in the City of David's Pilgrimage Road. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI
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The building the lamp was found in may be linked to the protection of the Siloam Pool, the City of David's primary water source. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI
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Archaeologists Ari Levy and Yuval Baruch said the lamp, discovered in the foundations of a building along the City of David's Pilgrimage Road, was intentionally placed there to bring good fortune to people who lived there. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI
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"Foundation deposits were prevalent in the ancient world, and were intended for luck, and to ensure the continued existence of the building and its occupants," Baruch and Levy added. "And they were usually buried under the floors of buildings or foundations." Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI
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Israeli archaeologists uncover rare, ancient bronze lamp shaped like a face

Baruch said only a few such lamps have been found before, and the one they found is the first of its kind in Jerusalem.

Archaeologist Ari Levy holds a rare bronze oil lamp on Wednesday that was discovered during excavations in the City of David's Pilgrimage Road in East Jerusalem. The lamp was intentionally buried for good luck and is a common Roman artistic motif, similar to the theatrical mask. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI | License Photo

May 5 (UPI) -- Archaeologists in Israel said Wednesday they recently found a rare, ancient bronze oil lamp in the City of David National Park that dates back to the first and second centuries.

The Israel Antiquities Authority said the discovery of the lamp, which it says was intended to provide good fortune, was found during an excavation along the City of David's Pilgrimage Road. The bronze oil lamp is shaped like a face cut in half.

The excavation was conducted by the Israel Antiquities Authority, in the Jerusalem Walls City of David National Park.

Archaeologists Ari Levy and Yuval Baruch said the lamp, discovered in the foundations of a building on the road, was intentionally placed there to bring good fortune to people who lived there.

RELATED Scientists find 110 ancient tombs from 3 different Egypt civilizations

"The offering of this lamp may attest to the importance of the building, which may have been linked to the protection of the Siloam Pool, the city's primary water source," Levy and Baruch said in a statement.

At its creation, the lamp was poured into a sculpted mold that was shaped like half a face belonging to a bearded man with a "grotesque" appearance, the researchers said. The tip is shaped like a crescent moon and the handle like the Acanthus plant.

The lamp's decoration is reminiscent of a common Roman artistic motif, similar to a theatrical mask.

RELATED Dig uncovers 'Lost Golden City'; largest ancient city ever found in Egypt

"Foundation deposits were prevalent in the ancient world, and were intended for luck, and to ensure the continued existence of the building and its occupants," Baruch and Levy added. "And they were usually buried under the floors of buildings or foundations."

"The building where the lamp was discovered was built directly on top of the Pilgrimage Road at the end of the Second Temple period. The construction of such a massive structure in the period after the destruction of Jewish Jerusalem demonstrates the importance of the area even after the destruction of the Second Temple."

Baruch said only a few such lamps have been found before, and the one they found is the first of its kind in Jerusalem.

RELATED Mummies of ancient Egyptian royalty to parade through streets of Cairo

A BLOODY CRIME SAID THIS BOOK LOVER

We will rebuild: Gaza’s largest bookshop destroyed by Israeli air strikes

Samir Mansour Library bookshop was destroyed on Tuesday, prompting outrage from book lovers around the world

The company behind one of Gaza’s largest and most well-known bookshops vowed to rebuild after it was demolished by an Israeli air strike on Tuesday, sparking outcry from Palestinians and abroad.

Samir Mansour Library was destroyed in a strike that hit a building next to the Islamic University on Al Thalatiny Street in Gaza City.

Books were buried under rubble, while others were covered so thickly with dust that their titles could not be read.

The Israeli military said it was destroying Hamas tunnels in the operation.

The shop was established in 2008 and held thousands of books from all genres for sale. Despite having "library" in its name, it does not lend books.

But it was part of a publishing house that gave voice to Palestinian poets, children’s writers, novelists and academics, some of whom decried its destruction on social media and at the scene of the air strike.

“We are condemning the destruction of our library,” Shereen Al A’ka, public relations officer at Samir Mansour publishing house, told The National.

"We are so sad because the library is not only walls, it is memories and friends for all ages.

“This library is an old dream for its owner. He worked hard to build it for years."

The books may be under rubble, but that will not stop us

Nada Abu Mideen

As Gazans struggled to take in the loss, book lovers from further afield sprang into action, offering to donate books or raise money.

“I choked up when I saw the pictures of the destruction of the bookshop on social media,” said writer Nada Abu Mideen, 29.

“This place encouraged and supported me always.”

Ms Abu Mideen has two books published by Samir Mansour. One of them, Mazaj Morsal, covers Gaza after the 2014 war. The library printed about 1,000 copies of the book.

“After we survived the 2014 war, me and my friend decided to write about our survival, our challenges and resilience,” she said.

Ms Abu Mideen said the bombing would not stop her efforts to shine a light on the plight of Palestinians in Gaza.

“The books may be under rubble but that will not stop us. We will keep writing to show the world that we deserve life,” she said.

Fighting between Gaza militants and Israel has lasted for 10 days so far.

Gaza’s Health Ministry said 241 Palestinians have died and 7,802 have been wounded. In Israel, 12 people have been killed.

The government said about 1,620 rockets have been fired towards its territory by militants in Gaza.

The UN’s humanitarian agency said almost 450 buildings in the enclave have been destroyed or badly damaged, including six hospitals.

It said more than 52,000 Palestinians have been displaced since the start of the conflict.

Dr Ameen Wafi, a lecturer in literature at Gaza’s Islamic University, said the air strike was “unforgiveable”.

“To destroy a bookshop means one thing: that the occupier doesn’t believe in humanitarian values because the message of libraries is so clear over the world,” Dr Wafi said.

“Those actions are un-humanitarian and immoral. One of the most important tools for scientific renaissance is creating and building libraries.

"The mission of those libraries is so clear. It’s educational, cultural and awareness missions for people. It is one of the ways civilisations form."

Amira Nassar, 26, said the sight of the books on the ground made her weep.

“I called the library and ordered a number of books a couple of days ago, and they told me they would deliver the book after the escalation is over,” Ms Nassar said.

“I couldn’t imagine that I would pass through the area and find rubble instead of the library."

But Ms Al A’ka said the work of the bookshop is not over.

“We are disappointed. We lost a lot of valuable books under the rubble," she said. "The books are like our family members but we will not stop.

“We will take time, for sure, but we will not stop trying.”


Updated: May 20, 2021