Are you ready? Yes, sir. Gentlemen? Yes, sir. Congress here, members of the cabinet. All of you ladies and gentlemen. It's a pleasure to have you all join us here in the Rose Garden as we do efforts of Americans across this land a growing commitment to solving the problem of drug abuse in our society. It's a little bit like a story.  Got out an iron and he took a cut at it. Didn't hit the ant nest. When he lined up for the third shot there were two ants down there and one of them said to the other, if we want to survive, we better get on the ball. It comes in handy, decriminalized or simply regulated. We now know what drugs are and we're not shy about saying it.  An evil that destroys lives, steals our children's future and undermines the foundations of our free society. Twelve thousand just say no clubs in schools across the United States. The most troubling of all is the testimony of our children themselves. We're just our college students or our high school students or even our junior high students. As early as the fourth, fifth and sixth grade students are already identifying drugs as a major problem on their school needs. No one I say has a nation. I mean just that. Combating this drug epidemic is the responsibility of every American. Parents, teachers, school administrators, employers, workers and union officials, public office holders and private organizations to that we're looking to our college administrators to become serious about fighting drug use on our nation's campuses. The time for excuses is over. Our colleges can no longer be neutral on the subject of drugs. Nobody has a right to say we must no longer be shy in demanding the right of our children, the right of all Americans to live in a drug free society. And the work of this conference will be a major step forward in initiating an high parent and as chairman of the conference. The boys has had a distinguished career and they've signed that statement there. Here as much as anyone else, I've sold you over and over again everything that I know about all that took place and I'm waiting to find out. Senator Noway says you ought to check your memory about your statement that you knew nothing about illegal fundraising within your administration, sir. As far as I know, who is everyone else I think knew that out there in the country there were people that were contributing and privately and in groups giving money to aid the countries. With weapons, sir? I don't know how that money was to be used and I have no knowledge that there was ever any solicitation by our people. Did you know what Colonel North was doing? Did you know he was coordinating this? No. What about the third country, sir? Why were they contributing money? You will find that within the law the law specified that the Secretary of State was to encourage our fellow democracies to give aid to the freedom fighters. Including for military aid? Are you willing to testify if asked? Are you willing to testify before the select committee if asked? The hearings are beginning, sir. What is your expectation? I'm finally going to hear some of the things that I'm still waiting to learn. But don't you know what you did? I mean, do you have to have someone else tell you what you did? Don't you know what you did?  Should Senator Hart drop his bid for the presidency? What should Senator Hart do? What should he not have done before he did it? I appreciate very much, sir. I should say that warm memories of our home visit to your country. And I'm pleased that you're coming to meet with Secretary Weinberger here because of our commitment to peace and security in your country as well. I will long remember my visit to the DMC for one of our young men that day stood with me in tension and said, sir, we are on the frontier of freedom. Our meetings are going very well. First figure to 6.2 because that includes the military and I'm convinced they're working. They've got jobs. That's a drop of a full 3-tenths of a percentage point in a single month and it marks the lowest unemployment rate in more than seven years. And it's worth pointing out that these numbers exceed the expectations of most private forecasters and taken together with the healthy gains in employment during the first quarter of this year, these April statistics indicate that economic expansion and creation of jobs continues at a strong pace. End of statement. What happened to the unemployment reform minorities, Mr. President? Unemployment reform minorities? Well, I'm not going to take any questions except because you asked that one at this point. It is my understanding that for some period now the unemployment rate for minorities is dropping faster than the general unemployment rate. Mr. President, do you think that private persons carrying out your foreign policy should procure from it? Melinda, I can't take any... Have you been watching CQR? A little, but I can't take any questions here now. We've got to get down to some very urgent business. Is Karen Roth still a national hero, Mr. President? No questions. Unless you want to ask about any point of it.  She's sleeping. Take that arm tool. That's terrible. I think your mother's going to be able to do it. You don't have to tell me. It's a good story, really. Yeah, it's a good story. Yeah, it's a good story. Thank you. What's that doing to the... The button. Six months later, I think. The question is what is the DNA of all of this? It's just me. Trade and... Yeah. Coming down to the day, I know you've got a good schedule up there. There are a couple of issues I want to discuss with you today with the hope that we can get together on our strategy. Because you know the house has passed an unacceptable trade deal. I understand the finance committee has locked up its trade reform proposal and we're anxious to have a detailed look at that one. I know that representatives of our administration were consulted throughout the finance process and a number of improvements were made in the bill, but we still have some very serious problems here and I hope we can work them out. I'd like to get a trade bill I can sign and I hope I can count on you and your colleagues to work with us to reach that goal. Bob, I'd like to hear your assessment of the finance committee's action with Jim Baker and Alan Woods for any comment they might have. Let me compliment first, Mr. President. Alan Woods. Well, thank you all for coming down here this morning. We discussed the debt ceiling. I know that we're the republicans. That's just wonderful. We love that. No, it's always a difficult time and it's something that both republicans and democrats have to face up to. We've been through this many times in the last few years, but this is a little different year. At midnight, May 15th, the temporary debt limit will expire. And unlike previous years, there are no administrative actions available that belong to the availability of cash. Without congressional action, therefore, as Jim has told us already, the United States government will run out of cash by May 28th and default on its debt. Now, we've never defaulted in 200 years and do so now would result in unthinkable consequences. Severe disruption of domestic and international financial markets as well as increasing interest rates. So let me stress that I understand the political dilemma faced by republicans on this issue. However, I believe the economic consequences of default present a far graver risk than voting for debt limit legislation. We really need your help on this one. I urge you to work with us for the prompt enactment of a clean, long-term debt ceiling increase. I'm going to ask Jim Baker to elaborate on the situation and we'll open it up for general discussion. Thank you, Mr. President. I elaborated that the most everybody here knows at some length the other morning for the conference and I suppose most everybody heard what I had to say and the questions that were directed my way. Let me just make one point if I might or maybe...


Hello and welcome to the Tracy Johnson show. I'm Joe Wombo, joined now with Tracy Johnson, head coach of the women's ice hockey team, and coach you guys head up to Endicott playing the CHC semi-final game. Tough battle there. It was. We had the lead a couple times and it was a back and forth game and an exciting game. And I thought we fought hard and not the result that we were looking for and certainly not the result we were planning on, but that's sports. It seems to be like that was the series in a nutshell there this season. What does this game do in terms of preparation for years to come, having this taste in the player's mouth where they're going to want to work for and get back into this situation? That's what we're hopeful for. And I think a big lesson to take away from that game was just the inconsistency in execution. And I think we had some breakdowns in some of the things that we've been trying to work on all year. And I think it's just finding that consistency again. And that's kind of the story of our season this year. So I'm hoping we can find a way to really turn it on and keep it that way next season. Can you talk about the consistency? We have had a strong, consistent performance from players like Chelsea Blackburn, Natalie, and Monica Posek. But it's got to be a whole team effort and consistency. Exactly. Having depth is something that's really important where you're hoping you can rely on production from the whole lineup. And certainly having those players that lead the way is important and something that's pretty valuable. But again, we have to find a way to kind of spread out that production as well. And you guys are going to have an opportunity to spread out the production. You guys don't lose anybody this season. You're only going to be gaining players. What does that do in terms of motivation to keep the work ethic working throughout the offseason? Yeah, it'll definitely contribute to our depth. And excited about that. And in order for us to get better, our current players need to get better. And we need to bring in better players as well. So that's the plan. And just really looking forward to next season already. And next season started the second that game was over. So we're very much focused on looking forward to what we can do going into this next stretch here. And can't wait until next October. Neither can we, Coach. And I appreciate your time every post game and every week talking to us every week. Yes, and thank you so much for everything. She's Tracy Johnson. I'm Joe Wamba. And this has been the Tracy Johnson Show.


G'day there. Welcome to the next version of taking you to the streets today. I just wanted to give you a brief overview of chainsaw training in CFA. We've just been able to release a couple of new chainsaw trailers into the field where we've got some couple of real experts that are out there to deliver train the trainer training for chainsaw Operations chainsaws are probably one of the most frequently used tools on our rural tankers And there's a degree of safety that we need to train people in there So these guys are the subject matter experts. I'm going to hand over them in a minute But it's also worthy of mentioning that you know We've got a lot of people out there that are experienced chainsaw operators You don't need to do the whole training course if you think you're up to it If you want the accreditation just look in to do the assessments. So let's hand over to our experts Hi, my name is Tony Secluna, and I'm a wildfire instructor with the country fire authority When responding to bushfires storms road rescue and structure fires CFA crews are often confronted by fallen trees and limbs In bush firefighting chainsaws can be used to get access and egress from fire grounds We can also use them for mopping up blacking out and off-siding machinery Chainsaws are an integral part of our firefighting armory Operating chainsaws in emergency situations is demanding and can be dangerous Hi, my name is Geordie Ecoroid. I'm a wildfire instructor with the CFA Working out of the southeast region based up in Danesdale in East Gippsland CFA is now endorsed to deliver chainsaw cross-cut training assessment giving our members a nationally endorsed Qualification in the operation and maintenance of chainsaws. The training package will take members through cross-cut techniques safety chainsaw maintenance and safe use of chainsaws on fire grounds and other emergency incidents To meet the national requirements members will have to undertake both theory and a practical based assessment The practical based assessments developed to be done out in the field So we can take it out to the members and the trailer such as this has been developed to help implement Hi, I'm Mike Evans from the country fire authority and a wildfire instructor And I have been involved with the chainsaw training program for quite a period of time And the CFA along with engineering department and volunteers and staff have developed chainsaw trailer to support the training material and the delivery of the chainsaw training So the most important thing with the deployment of this trailer is to select a suitable site initially a flat level site with good clearance around the area And set the the trailer up on the supporting legs and the jockey wheel up the front And then start deploying the equipment as as necessary. So We've got our trailer set up Nicely nice and secure And we then start to need deploying the safety equipment We've got signage In this front locker that designates the fueling zones We've also got signage for chainsaw training in progress that can be set up around the site Also in this locker We have a compressor That is utilized in the maintenance of the chainsaws at the end of the session So part of the course is people need to demonstrate maintenance and chainsaws and the compressor is a vital part of that once again This safety equipment needs to be used with that such as goggles, which are on other parts of the trailer The trailer is designed to support up to 10 participants with Personal protective clothing and equipment And then this locker On the near side We find some of that safety equipment Five helmets on the top shelf In the tape bins are the the approved chainsaw chaps 10 pair of those various sizes to suit different configurations of people We have the fire extinguishers as well other ppc such as the high vis vests that are required by instructors and participants in some cases depending on where they're working And also we have the hammers The crews in working crews are two part of the equipment that the off-sider takes with them is the hammer wedges sharpening equipment To support the the team Two-person team is doing the chainsaw training as well And that's all part of the instructional process as to how to use these tools And deploy them in a safe manner in an effective team The rear lockers in the trailer contain the hand tools and supporting safety equipment as well as the fuel And the three chainsaws that are supplied The that back locker is vented as well as a safety feature So any fuel that's stored in that locker. It's basically the dirty locker is vented and does an impact on the other safety equipment such as the ppc Chaps and helmets as well. So we'll open up the locker once again If the drawers Utilized and then slid in The tailgate needs to be put up immediately afterwards. So we don't walk into it So drawers simple pull Slide quite easy to slide And we have in this left hand locker a range of tools racoes in particular axes And a log turning tool that all Go with the crews when they're doing their work for site preparation safety And potentially if you do happen to get a small fire while you're operating the chainsaw We have got some safety equipment there as well In the second locker we have the chainsaws fuel and oil similar again What simple to operate And we're carrying three sores in this particular trailer Uh fuel and oil to support the chainsaw operation And they can be taken out and taken to the site so in the Rear offside locker we have more supporting safety equipment. There's another five helmets stored in there making the total of 10 For the refuelling areas. There's two pop-up witches hats And two on this side two on the other side Range of support tools Including stump hoses Sharpening Sharpening equipment There's a range of wedges as well Once again, this is the gear that the teams will be taking with them when they're going out doing the training or in operations themselves We've built in a roll out how to conduct maintenance on the on the trailer along with out in the field itself with the use of stump hoses on logs and stumps And that's supported by another piece of safety equipment that we find in the offside rear locker There's lengths of dowel Five lengths of dowel One for each team That's used by the off-sider to the chainsaw operator In case there's any dangers such as falling limbs overhead or other other dangerous Parts of the operation that they they witness they're able to utilize the length of dowel to be able to tap the chainsaw operator on a part of the body that's not going to be impacted with the saw And warn them that uh, there's something that's that is that is probably dangerous for them Along with verbal signals or whistles at the same time chainsaw operations can be dangerous So providing welfare for our operators is important This locker is designed as a welfare locker Having the first aid kits and other supporting welfare material Many brigades will have chainsaw equipment On their tankers or their other appliances and it's fine to bring That equipment along to chainsaw training. We actually expect that from the brigades. It's a good opportunity to see what brigades Have available to them But this trail is designed to support the safety elements that those tankers and brigades may not have such as the signage such as the traffic cones such as the compressor and other support equipment That rounds out the training opportunity for the members that are participating I recommend that When chainsaw training is scheduled that these trailers Go along and be booked to support them and they'll provide A fully rounded training opportunity for the members in a safe manner


Russian losses will cross the 500,000 mark in Ukraine. United Kingdom Defence Intelligence has noted an increase in daily casualties in the Russian Federation's forces in the war against Ukraine and predicted that at this rate, the total number will cross the 500,000 mark by 2025. UK Intelligence noted that in 2023, the average daily losses of Russian personnel, both killed and wounded, increased to almost 300 per day, which is more than in 2022. The increase in daily averages are reported by the Ukrainian authorities, almost certainly reflects the degradation of Russia's forces and its transition to a lower-quality, high-quantity mass army since the partial mobilization of reservists in September 2022. It will likely take Russia 5 to 10 years to rebuild a cohort of highly trained and experienced military units Defence Intelligence said. UK Defence Intelligence noted that if the current rate of losses continues through 2024, Russia's losses in terms of those killed and wounded will reach more than half a million by 2025. UK Intelligence pointed out that during the nine years of their war in Afghanistan, the USSR lost approximately 70,000 people.