#2.15 press release

[beardedmrbean]

The preliminary phase of the Vastaamo psychotherapy centre data breach trial commences on Thursday at the District Court of Western Uusimaa in Otaniemi, Espoo.

The data breaches are believed to have been committed in November 2018 and March 2019, affecting an estimated 30,000 victims.

Newspaper Ilkka-Pohjalainen carried an STT report that the main suspect in the case, 26-year-old Aleksanteri Kivimäki, faces charges of aggravated data breaches, nearly 9,600 charges of aggravated dissemination of sensitive information, over 21,300 counts of attempted aggravated extortion, and 20 counts of aggravated extortion.

The prosecution is calling on the court to hand Kivimäki a seven-year prison sentence.

Helsingin Sanomat (HS) also reported about the beginning of the trial, noting that Thursday's preliminary session will likely be concise and focus mainly on establishing guidelines as well as scheduling the forthcoming trial, which is set to commence on 13 November.

HS further notes that the defendant plans to participate in the preparatory meeting, despite not being legally obliged to do so until the main trial in November.

Kivimäki asserts his innocence and refutes any connection to the alleged offences, arguing that the case lacks compelling or concrete proof implicating him.

He contends that the true perpetrator is another individual within similar social circles, according to HS.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has previously stated that the evidence against Kivimäki is substantial. Authorities are expected to release extensive preliminary investigation material for the case on Thursday, comprising over 2,000 pages, STT reported.

Petrol prices take surprising plunge

Despite the prevailing global economic conditions and forecasts of gloomy times ahead, fuel prices in Finland have dropped, falling below the two-euro-per-litre mark in numerous locations, as reported by tabloid Iltalehti.

As of Wednesday evening, motorists in Kirkkonummi had the opportunity to fill their tanks with 95E10 gasoline for a mere 1.78 euros per litre.

Back in September, Iltalehti noted, the average cost for 95E10 petrol was 2.15 euros per litre. During the summer, some fuel stations even reached a peak price of 2.50 euros per litre.

In early October, price projections remained pessimistic, and the unstable situation in the Middle East was expected to lead to an upswing in fuel costs.

However, the expected price surge has yet to materialise. According to data collected on October 25th, the average cost of 95E10 gasoline currently stands at 1.94 euros per litre. For diesel consumers, the most budget-friendly refuelling option is available in Vantaa at 1.90 euros per litre, while for higher octane 98E5 gasoline, Kirkkonummi offers the lowest price at 1.88 euros per litre.

Iltalehti noted, however, that it may only be a matter of time before the recent political escalations in the Middle East affect oil supplies and consequently influence prices.

Another Finnish city cancels disgraced singer's gig

Tabloid Ilta-Sanomat reported that the city of Lappeenranta joined other Finnish cities in cancelling concerts featuring singer Jari Sillanpää.

The singer and former tango star was convicted of disseminating child pornography in 2020, although the fine he received was reduced on appeal.

Sillanpää was scheduled to perform at a Christmas concert in the South Karelian city on 3 December, but the city said it had to re-evaluate the hosting of the event citing child-friendly values.

"The former and now re-publicised criminal convictions of Jari Sillanpää are in conflict with the city's values and ethical guidelines and therefore the city does not see cooperation as viable," a press release by Lappeenranta city authorities reads.

Sillanpää's previous convictions have been brought to public attention once again following a documentary series by Finnish broadcaster MTV.

Lappeenranta is the second Finnish city to make such a decision regarding the Christmas concert tour in recent weeks, following a similar move by Turku, while authorities in Pori are also believed to be considering their options.

[rosewoodcentral]

ROSEWOOD RE-EXAMINES A CASE FROM HIS PAST ON AN ALL-NEW "ROSEWOOD" FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, ON FOX A criminal lures Rosewood to the murder scene of a former tech millionaire and, in doing so, forces Rosie to re-examine a case from his past in the all-new "Clavicle Trauma & Closure" episode airing Friday, Feb. 10 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. (ROS-215) (TV-14 D, L, S, V) Cast: Morris Chestnut as Dr. Beaumont Rosewood, Jr.; Jaina Lee Ortiz as Det. Annalise Villa; Lorraine Toussaint as Donna Rosewood; Gabrielle Dennis as Pippy Rosewood; Anna Konkle as Tara Milly Izikoff; Domenick Lombardozzi as Det. Ira Hornstock; Eddie Cibrian as Capt. Ryan Slade Guest Cast: Sam Huntington as Mitchie Mendelson, Eric Winter as Adrian Webb, LeToya Luckett as Tawnya, Kamal Angelo Bolden as Julius "Joo Joo" Beeman, Phillip Rhys as Raymond Larsen, Eric Ladin as Ivan Keller, Bruce Nozick as Gavin Eauclaire, Chen Tang as Bradley Morgan, Cameron Kelly as Sarah Anders, Pooja Shah as Model #2, Jacqui Calloway as Model #3

[batwomanupdates]

IS THIS GOODBYE? – As Luke Fox’s (Camrus Johnson) life hangs in the balance, repercussions from the devastating event are the catalyst for some life-changing decisions for those around him. Also starring Javicia Leslie, Dougray Scott, Rachel Skarsten, Meagan Tandy and Nicole Kang. Holly Dale directed the episode written by Nancy Kiu (#215). Original airdate 6/6/2021.

(xx)

[itscasinogayworld-blog]

LVS 3Q earnings down 7pct, stays positive on Macau outlook

Third-quarter earnings attributable to investors of United States-based gambling establishment driver Las vega Sands Corp was down 6.7 percent year on year. Such net income for the three months to September 30 was US$ 533 million, contrasted to US$ 571 million in the prior-year quarter.

Group-wide internet earnings stood at US$ 3.25 billion, down 3.6 percent from a year earlier, stated Las vega Sands in a news release on Wednesday. The firm is parent to Macau casino operator Sands China Ltd, and likewise to Marina Bay Sands Pte Ltd, the driver of the Marina Bay Sands casino site hotel in Singapore. It additionally runs procedures in Las vega, Nevada, in the USA.

In the third quarter, Sands China's internet income was virtually level year-on-year, down 1.9 percent, at US$ 2.11 billion, compared to US$ 2.15 billion in the same quarter of 2018. Earnings through continued to be flat at US$ 454 million, said the parent company. The total Macau market has up until now this year seen a mild year-on-year contraction in gambling enterprise gross video gaming earnings (GGR), driven by a significant dip in VIP rolling quantity and VIP GGR. But Macau-market mass GGR including slots-- which Las Vegas Sands calls its toughness-- has actually had significant development.

At Marina Bay Sands, web profits increased 3.5 percent year-on-year, to US$ 793 million, contrasted to US$ 766 million a year previously. Las Vegas Sands' chairman and also chief executive Sheldon Adelson said in remarks coming with the press launch that the group had provided "solid financial outcomes" in the reporting quarter.

Mr Adelson said the group continued to be "enthusiastic" regarding its development possibilities in Asia. Mr Adelson noted in his remarks, referring to the Macau market: "Next year, we will present around 2 million square feet [185,806 sq metres] of elegant suite lodgings on the Cotai Strip with the opening of the Grand Suites at Four Seasons Macao and also The Londoner Tower Suites. Extra tourism and also enjoyment amenities of The Londoner Macao will debut throughout 2020 and also 2021."

The latter was a referral to a conversion of Sands Cotai Central to a property themed on architecture from the UK's capital city. The team paid a recurring returns of US$ 0.77 per usual share, an increase of 2.7 percent on the US$ 0.75 per share paid in the third quarter a year earlier. The board also revealed a US$ 0.08 Increase in the business's persisting ordinary shares reward for the 2020 fiscal year.

Asia efficiency

In the third quarter, changed residential property incomes before passion, tax, devaluation and amortisation (EBITDA) for Macau procedures was level at US$ 755 million, compared to US$ 754 million in the prior-year duration. At Marina Bay Sands, such modified quarterly residential or commercial property EBITDA was up 3.8 percent, at US$ 435 million, compared to US$ 419 million the year before. In Macau, rolling chip quantity at the Venetian Macao (visualized) was down 20.6 percent year-on-year in the third quarter. Such roll was US$ 5.89 billion, contrasted to simply under US$ 7.43 billion a year previously. A Thursday note from JP Morgan Securities (Asia-Pacific) Ltd defined Sands China's Macau-wide quarterly VIP efficiency as "depressing". Analysts DS Kim, Jeremy An and Derek Choi created: "Its VIP GGR dropped 22 percent quarter-on-quarter as well as 36 percent year-on-year, with huge decreases in rolling quantities (-11 percent quarter-on-quarter, -30 percent year-on-year).".

However the organization included: "The bright side is that this sector doesn't really relocate the needle for Sands [China] anyhow, as VIP (including direct) make up only 7 to 8 percent of its EBITDA." Andrew Lee as well as Lois Zhou of Jeffries Group LLC noted in a Wednesday memorandum that there had been "continuous VIP weak point with rebound unpredictability, and also Sands Cotai Central remodellings influencing incomes". However the Jeffries experts added there had been a "positive" in the premium mass sector, which had actually "recouped from second-quarter 2019 weak point with monitoring changing a lot more tables from base mass".

[casinosperm-blog]

LVS 3Q earnings down 7pct, remains positive on Macau expectation

Third-quarter earnings attributable to shareholders of United States-based gambling establishment driver Las Vegas Sands Corp was down 6.7 percent year on year. Such earnings for the three months to September 30 was US$ 533 million, contrasted to US$ 571 million in the prior-year quarter.

Group-wide web income stood at US$ 3.25 billion, down 3.6 percent from a year earlier, claimed Las vega Sands in a press release on Wednesday. The company is moms and dad to Macau online casino operator Sands China Ltd, and additionally to Marina Bay Sands Pte Ltd, the operator of the Marina Bay Sands casino site resort in Singapore. It also runs procedures in Las vega, Nevada, in the United States.

In the third quarter, Sands China's web earnings was virtually level year-on-year, down 1.9 percent, at US$ 2.11 billion, compared to US$ 2.15 billion in the very same quarter of 2018. Net income for the period remained level at US$ 454 million, said the moms and dad company. The overall Macau market has until now this year seen a mild year-on-year contraction in online casino gross gaming revenue (GGR), driven by a substantial dip in VIP rolling quantity as well as VIP GGR. Yet Macau-market mass GGR including slots-- which Las vega Sands refers to as its toughness-- has actually had substantial development.

At Marina Bay Sands, web earnings increased 3.5 percent year-on-year, to US$ 793 million, contrasted to US$ 766 million a year earlier. Las Vegas Sands' chairman and chief executive Sheldon Adelson said in remarks going along with journalism release that the team had actually supplied "solid financial results" in the reporting quarter.

Mr Adelson said the team remained "passionate" regarding its development chances in Asia. Mr Adelson noted in his remarks, describing the Macau market: "Next year, we will introduce around 2 million square feet [185,806 sq metres] of extravagant collection accommodations on the Cotai Strip with the opening of the Grand Suites at 4 Seasons Macao as well as The Londoner Tower Suites. Added tourist and home entertainment facilities of The Londoner Macao will certainly debut throughout 2020 as well as 2021."

The latter was a referral to a conversion of Sands Cotai Central to a home themed on architecture from the United Kingdom's capital city. The group paid a reoccuring dividend of US$ 0.77 per typical share, an increase of 2.7 percent on the US$ 0.75 per share paid in the 3rd quarter a year previously. The board additionally introduced a US$ 0.08 Rise in the company's recurring ordinary shares returns for the 2020 calendar year.

Asia performance

In the 3rd quarter, readjusted residential or commercial property revenues before rate of interest, taxation, depreciation and also amortisation (EBITDA) for Macau operations was flat at US$ 755 million, contrasted to US$ 754 million in the prior-year duration. At Marina Bay Sands, such adjusted quarterly building EBITDA was up 3.8 percent, at US$ 435 million, contrasted to US$ 419 million the year prior to. In Macau, rolling chip volume at the Venetian Macao (visualized) was down 20.6 percent year-on-year in the 3rd quarter. Such roll was US$ 5.89 billion, contrasted to simply under US$ 7.43 billion a year previously. A Thursday note from JP Morgan Securities (Asia-Pacific) Ltd defined Sands China's Macau-wide quarterly VIP performance as "miserable". Analysts DS Kim, Jeremy An as well as Derek Choi wrote: "Its VIP GGR dropped 22 percent quarter-on-quarter as well as 36 percent year-on-year, with big decreases in rolling quantities (-11 percent quarter-on-quarter, -30 percent year-on-year).".

Yet the organization included: "The bright side is that this sector doesn't actually relocate the needle for Sands [China] anyhow, as VIP (including straight) accounts for just 7 to 8 percent of its EBITDA." Andrew Lee and Lois Zhou of Jeffries Group LLC kept in mind in a Wednesday memorandum that there had been "continuous VIP weakness with rebound unpredictability, and Sands Cotai Central renovations impacting incomes". But the Jeffries analysts included there had been a "favorable" in the costs mass section, which had actually "recuperated from second-quarter 2019 weakness with management moving more tables from base mass".

[casinogay]

LVS 3Q profit down 7pct, stays positive on Macau outlook

Third-quarter net income attributable to investors of United States-based online casino operator Las Vegas Sands Corp was down 6.7 percent year on year. Such take-home pay for the three months to September 30 was US$ 533 million, contrasted to US$ 571 million in the prior-year quarter.

Group-wide net revenue stood at US$ 3.25 billion, down 3.6 percent from a year earlier, claimed Las vega Sands in a news release on Wednesday. The firm is parent to Macau gambling establishment operator Sands China Ltd, as well as likewise to Marina Bay Sands Pte Ltd, the operator of the Marina Bay Sands casino resort in Singapore. It additionally runs procedures in Las vega, Nevada, in the USA.

In the 3rd quarter, Sands China's net revenue was almost level year-on-year, down 1.9 percent, at US$ 2.11 billion, compared to US$ 2.15 billion in the very same quarter of 2018. Take-home pay for the period remained level at US$ 454 million, said the parent firm. The overall Macau market has up until now this year seen a light year-on-year tightening in casino site gross pc gaming income (GGR), driven by a substantial dip in VIP rolling quantity and VIP GGR. Yet Macau-market mass GGR consisting of ports-- which Las Vegas Sands calls its toughness-- has actually had considerable expansion.

At Marina Bay Sands, web earnings rose 3.5 percent year-on-year, to US$ 793 million, contrasted to US$ 766 million a year earlier. Las Vegas Sands' chairman and president Sheldon Adelson stated in remarks accompanying the press launch that the group had actually delivered "strong monetary results" in the reporting quarter.

Mr Adelson said the group remained "enthusiastic" concerning its growth opportunities in Asia. Mr Adelson kept in mind in his comments, describing the Macau market: "Following year, we will certainly introduce roughly 2 million square feet [185,806 sq metres] of lavish collection holiday accommodations on the Cotai Strip with the opening of the Grand Suites at Four Seasons Macao as well as The Londoner Tower Suites. Added tourism as well as enjoyment services of The Londoner Macao will debut throughout 2020 as well as 2021."

The latter was a reference to a conversion of Sands Cotai Central to a residential property themed on design from the UK's funding city. The group paid a repeating returns of US$ 0.77 per typical share, a rise of 2.7 percent on the US$ 0.75 per share paid in the third quarter a year earlier. The board additionally revealed a US$ 0.08 Boost in the business's reoccuring common stock dividend for the 2020 fiscal year.

Asia efficiency

In the 3rd quarter, readjusted home profits prior to passion, taxation, devaluation and also amortisation (EBITDA) for Macau procedures was level at US$ 755 million, contrasted to US$ 754 million in the prior-year duration. At Marina Bay Sands, such modified quarterly residential property EBITDA was up 3.8 percent, at US$ 435 million, compared to US$ 419 million the year prior to. In Macau, rolling chip volume at the Venetian Macao (visualized) was down 20.6 percent year-on-year in the 3rd quarter. Such roll was US$ 5.89 billion, compared to simply under US$ 7.43 billion a year earlier. A Thursday note from JP Morgan Securities (Asia-Pacific) Ltd defined Sands China's Macau-wide quarterly VIP performance as "miserable". Analysts DS Kim, Jeremy An and also Derek Choi composed: "Its VIP GGR fell 22 percent quarter-on-quarter as well as 36 percent year-on-year, with large declines in rolling quantities (-11 percent quarter-on-quarter, -30 percent year-on-year).".

However the organization added: "The good news is that this sector does not really move the needle for Sands [China] anyway, as VIP (including straight) make up just 7 to 8 percent of its EBITDA." Andrew Lee and also Lois Zhou of Jeffries Team LLC noted in a Wednesday memo that there had been "ongoing VIP weakness with rebound uncertainty, and Sands Cotai Central renovations impacting profits". However the Jeffries experts included there had actually been a "favorable" in the costs mass sector, which had "recovered from second-quarter 2019 weak point with administration changing much more tables from base mass".

[nntsuniverse1-blog]

LVS 3Q earnings down 7pct, stays positive on Macau expectation

Third-quarter take-home pay attributable to shareholders of United States-based online casino operator Las vega Sands Corp was down 6.7 percent year on year. Such take-home pay for the three months to September 30 was US$ 533 million, compared to US$ 571 million in the prior-year quarter.

Group-wide internet revenue stood at US$ 3.25 billion, down 3.6 percent from a year previously, stated Las vega Sands in a press release on Wednesday. The firm is moms and dad to Macau casino operator Sands China Ltd, as well as also to Marina Bay Sands Pte Ltd, the driver of the Marina Bay Sands gambling establishment hotel in Singapore. It likewise runs procedures in Las Vegas, Nevada, in the USA.

In the 3rd quarter, Sands China's web profits was virtually flat year-on-year, down 1.9 percent, at US$ 2.11 billion, compared to US$ 2.15 billion in the very same quarter of 2018. Net income through continued to be level at US$ 454 million, claimed the moms and dad company. The total Macau market has so far this year seen a moderate year-on-year tightening in gambling enterprise gross video gaming income (GGR), driven by a substantial dip in VIP rolling volume and also VIP GGR. But Macau-market mass GGR including ports-- which Las Vegas Sands refers to as its toughness-- has had substantial growth.

At Marina Bay Sands, internet profits climbed 3.5 percent year-on-year, to US$ 793 million, compared to US$ 766 million a year previously. Las vega Sands' chairman and chief executive Sheldon Adelson said in comments coming with the press release that the group had actually delivered "solid monetary results" in the reporting quarter.

Mr Adelson stated the team continued to be "enthusiastic" regarding its development possibilities in Asia. Mr Adelson noted in his comments, describing the Macau market: "Next year, we will certainly introduce around 2 million square feet [185,806 sq metres] of extravagant collection holiday accommodations on the Cotai Strip with the opening of the Grand Suites at 4 Seasons Macao and also The Londoner Tower Suites. Added tourist and home entertainment amenities of The Londoner Macao will debut throughout 2020 and also 2021."

The latter was a reference to a conversion of Sands Cotai Central to a home themed on style from the UK's capital city. The team paid a repeating returns of US$ 0.77 per typical share, a rise of 2.7 percent on the US$ 0.75 per share paid in the third quarter a year earlier. The board also announced a US$ 0.08 Boost in the company's persisting ordinary shares returns for the 2020 calendar year.

Asia performance

In the 3rd quarter, changed residential or commercial property profits before rate of interest, tax, devaluation and amortisation (EBITDA) for Macau operations was flat at US$ 755 million, contrasted to US$ 754 million in the prior-year period. At Marina Bay Sands, such adjusted quarterly building EBITDA was up 3.8 percent, at US$ 435 million, compared to US$ 419 million the year prior to. In Macau, rolling chip quantity at the Venetian Macao (imagined) was down 20.6 percent year-on-year in the 3rd quarter. Such roll was US$ 5.89 billion, contrasted to simply under US$ 7.43 billion a year previously. A Thursday note from JP Morgan Stocks (Asia-Pacific) Ltd explained Sands China's Macau-wide quarterly VIP performance as "disappointing". Analysts DS Kim, Jeremy An and Derek Choi composed: "Its VIP GGR fell 22 percent quarter-on-quarter as well as 36 percent year-on-year, with large decreases in rolling volumes (-11 percent quarter-on-quarter, -30 percent year-on-year).".

Yet the establishment added: "The bright side is that this sector does not actually relocate the needle for Sands [China] anyhow, as VIP (consisting of direct) represent just 7 to 8 percent of its EBITDA." Andrew Lee as well as Lois Zhou of Jeffries Group LLC kept in mind in a Wednesday memo that there had actually been "continuous VIP weak point with rebound uncertainty, and also Sands Cotai Central improvements influencing incomes". Yet the Jeffries experts included there had actually been a "positive" in the premium mass segment, which had "recouped from second-quarter 2019 weakness with monitoring shifting more tables from base mass".

[hotspotu2022]

CM Jagan to Nandyala today

AP CM YS Jagan is going to visit Nandyala district today. Participate in YSR Rythu Bharosa program in Allagadda. The fourth tranche of funds will be released in the accounts of the beneficiaries. Leave at 9 am and reach Allagadda at 10.30 am.YSR Rythu Bharosa funds will be released there. 50.92 lakh people will be benefited under this scheme. The government will release 25,971 crore funds for this purpose. Jagan will release these funds under PM YSR Rythu Bharosa by pressing the button. Jagan will participate in the public meeting held afterwards. Jagan will reach Tadepalli office again at 2.15.

[sounmashnews]

[ad_1] Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for 60% of all folks in excessive poverty. (Representational)Washington: Covid-19 has dealt the "biggest setback" to world poverty discount efforts in many years, and the World Bank warned Wednesday that the objective to eradicate excessive poverty by 2030 possible stays out-of-reach.Poverty rose sharply in the course of the pandemic, and the event lender estimates about 70 million folks had been pushed into excessive poverty in 2020 -- the most important one-year spike since monitoring started in 1990.The report gives the primary tally of these struggling to reside on lower than $2.15 a day, the brand new world definition of maximum poverty, however follows many warnings from the worldwide growth lender that poorer nations are being left behind.Earlier this 12 months the establishment warned that as many 95 million folks would fall again into excessive poverty by the tip of this 12 months.War in Ukraine, rising inflation and slowing world progress have put additional stress on the financial institution's mission to carry folks out of poverty."Inflation, currency depreciations, and broader overlapping crises" level to a grim outlook, World Bank President David Malpass mentioned in a press release."Progress in reducing extreme poverty has essentially halted in tandem with subdued global economic growth," he mentioned.Global excessive poverty had fallen to eight.4 p.c by 2019 from 38 p.c in 1990, however the pandemic triggered the primary rise in additional than 20 years.Amid the setbacks the report initiatives world excessive poverty charge for 2030 will solely fall to seven p.c, or practically 600 million folks.Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for 60 p.c of all folks in excessive poverty, in accordance with the financial institution, and history-defying progress charges for the remainder of the last decade could be wanted to hit poverty discount targets.While rich nations usually had the assets to cushion the financial blow from the pandemic, this was not the case for creating economies.Income losses of the world's poorest nations had been twice as excessive as of their richer counterparts, inflicting world inequality to rise for the primary time in many years, the report mentioned."Over the next decade, investing in better health and education will be crucial for developing economies," mentioned World Bank Chief Economist Indermit Gill.Governments ought to favor focused money transfers over broad subsidies to help poor and susceptible teams, the World Bank added.It additionally urged for measures like property and carbon taxes which might increase income with out hurting the poorest.(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is printed from a syndicated feed.) [ad_2] Source link

[fumpkins]

This South Pacific island is awash with fun fungi

Back in the late aughts, mycologist Matteo Garbelotto gripped a rope as he slung himself on a steep slope covered in lush, humid tropical growth. The terrain was tricky to traverse, but he had his eyes set on a small prize propped on a remote ledge. 

“I remember being attached to a rope with my hands sticking out on the precipice, trying to collect a mushroom that was growing on a little outcrop where you couldn’t possibly walk,��� Garbelotto said in a press release by University of California, Berkeley, where he is the director of the Forest Pathology and Mycology Lab. This hard-to-reach mushroom was just one of hundreds of fungi Garbelotto and UC Berkeley researchers plucked from plants, trees, and soil across the French Polynesian island of Mo’orea in the South Pacific.

Garbelotto calls Mo’orea a “treasure trove” of fungal biodiversity. The survey “is one the first attempts to generate baseline information on fungal diversity, not just for Mo’orea, but for the entire and vast Insular Oceania region,” he said in the release. The diverse array of fungi fanning across the island came in a variety of vivid colors and unique shapes—from umbrella-shaped fairy inkcap mushrooms to gilled, electric yellow fungi to cone-shaped “bird’s nest fungus.” 

In a paper published in the Journal of Biogeography on March 31, UC Berkeley scientists described more than 550 specimens of macrofungi, which are fungi that have visible fruiting bodies. The collection contains 205 morphospecies, or taxonomic species that are distinguished primarily by distinct shape and structural differences. The findings are a part of a larger effort called the Mo’orea Biocode Project, which cataloged the diversity of animals, plants, and other non-microbial organisms in the island’s marine and terrestrial habitats from 2007 to 2010. 

The research team spent months conducting field work in the diverse habitats of Mo’orea. Matteo Garbelotto

Lying within the Society Islands archipelago, Mo’orea is a volcanic island about 2.15 to 1.36 million years old, but is actually a young formation—geologically speaking. The entire archipelago was never connected to a continental landmass, with Polynesians populating the area around 3,000 years ago and even more recently seeing trade and tourism. Mo’orea’s mix of pristine habitats and inhabited regions that have been deeply changed by humans make it a unique place to trace fungal colonization, Garbelotto explains.

“​​Mo’orea may really hold the key to understanding fungal evolution because of how remote it is and how varied the vegetation is,” Garbelotto wrote to PopSci in an email. “Other islands are either too close to continental landmass or their vegetation is too homogeneous to provide the same clues on fungal evolution in general.” 

A “bird’s nest fungus,” Cyathus species. The “egg” structures inside the caps are launched into the air to reproduce. Todd Osmundson

Since fungi are dispersed by microscopic spores, they likely have specific geographical patterns across a habitat. Their spread is also often linked to hosts, like certain animals or plants, as well as geologic forces, like wind, water currents, or climate. Because the growth of fungi is dependent on their surroundings and other organisms, they are a good proxy for understanding ecological relationships on the island. The distribution patterns have important implications for conservation and biodiversity estimation, the study authors write. 

[Related: This fungus has over 23,000 sexes and no qualms about it]

“Fungi are really important parts of ecosystems,” said study first author Todd Osmundson in the press release. He was a former UC Berkeley researcher and is currently a biology professor at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. “They act as primary decomposers, and in some cases [as] pathogens that break down decaying organic matter and recycle the nutrients into forms that other organisms can use. They’re also really important as symbionts. They live with other organisms and benefit that organism in exchange for other things. For instance, some fungi will attach to the roots of plants and exchange nutrients with them.”

Pleurotus species, a relative of the oyster mushroom. Todd Osmundson

During their collecting period between 2008 and 2009, the research team would head out at dawn and continue searching through the early afternoon in the humidity and heat. They hunted for fungi throughout the island—one day exploring a small island off the shore in the reef and the next climbing up mountains nearly 3,000 feet tall. They walked under palms and trekked through mangrove forests, and collaborated with native Polynesians to learn about local use of fungi and some of the species grown on private plantations and properties. 

“The diversity of habitat in a small area is stunning,” Garbelotto said. “After a while we could tell where we were by just looking at the fungi—each habitat had its very unique cohort of fungi.” 

After collecting, the team would photograph and dry the specimens to store back at UC Berkeley’s herbarium. Back in the lab, they would then analyze DNA sequences to measure diversity, look at the level of endemicity, or native specimens, and how the fungi distribution radiated on the island. Comparing the sequences of the fungi from Mo’orea to other species around the world helped the team identify where species had originally come from. 

Gerronema species growing on decaying wood. Todd Osmundson

“I was really surprised when we compared DNA sequences from Mo’orea and found out that very few were a perfect match with sequences from fungi anywhere in the world,” Garbelotto told us in the email. “This is telling us our specimens represent, for the most part, undescribed fungi.” 

More than 100 of the taxa represented in the collection may be new species, he said. Garbelotto added that the small number of DNA sequences that were similar to known species suggests that they could be dealing with genetically distinct populations or subspecies. While the majority of the fungi seem to have ancestral ties to other nearby South Pacific Islands or Australia, a small number may have originated from further away South America, East Asia, and Europe. 

This suggests “that rare, super long-distance hops are possible,” Garbelotto said. “Human migration and human trade have far reaching consequences on biodiversity and may influence evolutionary trajectories.”

Fungi grows on the fruit of a Tahitian chestnut, Inocarpus fagifer. The tree has a wide variety of human uses and was said to be carried with early Polynesians during their oceanic migrations. Todd Osmundson

New post published on: https://livescience.tech/2022/04/03/this-south-pacific-island-is-awash-with-fun-fungi/

[recentanimenews]

Luce Twinkle Wink☆ Members Have A Fun Time in Life with an Ordinary Guy who Reincarnated into a Total Fantasy Knockout ED Theme MV

    NBCUniversal Entertainment Japan's official YouTube channel for anime music has started streaming a short version music video for the five-member idol unit Luce Twinkle Wink☆'s eighth single song "FA'NTASY to!." The pop tune is now used as the ED theme for the winter 2022 TV anime Life with an Ordinary Guy who Reincarnated into a Total Fantasy Knockout.

  The unit made their major debut from NBCUniversal with their first single "Koiiro Shikou Kairo" (PS Vita game To Love-Ru Darkness True Princess theme song) in November 2015, then has performed theme songs for many TV anime series, such as And you thought there is never a girl online? (2016), Urara Meirocho (2017), GAMERS! (2017), and Suppose a Kid from the Last Dungeon Boonies Moved to a Starter Town (2021).

  "FA'NTASY to!" was already released digitally on January 12, and its CD single will be available in Japan on March 9. In the music video, the members show off their cute dance moves while having fun at the beach town.

    "FA'NTASY to!" short MV:

    Anime ED movie:

    First press limited edition CD jacket:

    Regular edition A:

    Regular edition B:

    2.15（TUE）18:00公開！ Luce Twinkle Wink☆ @Luce_TW NEW SINGLE「“FA“NTASYと！」試聴用MVhttps://t.co/ruHI4NQ6uq ▼ 各社配信サービスにて先行配信中！ Streaming：https://t.co/TvN4UlN4zK Download：https://t.co/JyL0jaQk1B…#ファ美肉おじさん #ルーチェTW pic.twitter.com/999AnZudQR

— NBCユニバーサル ANIME×MUSIC公式 (@nbc_anime_music) February 15, 2022

      The TV anime adaptation of Yu Tsurusaki (story) and Shin Ikezawa (art)'s isekai fantasy comedy manga Life with an Ordinary Guy who Reincarnated into a Total Fantasy Knockout premiered in Japan on January 11, 2022, and has also been simulcast on Crunchyroll to its members in North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, the Middle East, and CIS.

    Synopsis:

  Childhood friends Tachibana Hinata and Jinguji Tsukasa were living the everyday life of office workers. Then, on the way home from a mixer, they were sent flying into another world by a mysterious being. Once there, Jinguji sees his best friend has been turned into a beautiful blonde-haired, blue-eyed girl...?! The adorableness of Tachibana’s female form completely flummoxes Tachibana. But these two are each others’ best friends. To keep their relationship from being destroyed, they must defeat the Demon Lord as quickly as possible and return to their original forms.

        Source: NBCUniversal Anime Music official YouTube channel

  © 2022 ArcJewel by AquaLuna Entertainment Inc.

© IKEZAWA SHIN/TSURUSAKI YU/Cygames/Fabiniku Production Committee

  By: Mikikazu Komatsu

[canonicallysoulmates]

My first thought when reading this part,

“Jughead (Cole Sprouse) makes a major discovery in his quest to take down Hiram (Mark Consuelos)”

of the 2.15 Press Release was, ‘I hope this lead to him and Veronica interacting’.  

A couple more steps and I’m gonna be fully on the S.S. Jeronica