Month: April 2019

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A rare painting by famous Russian artist Arkhip Kuindzhi went missing from a wall in Moscow’s Tretyakov gallery as dozens of visitors were enjoying the exhibit.

The audacity with which the painting titled ‘Ai-Petri. Crimea’ was stolen may make ‘Thomas Crown’ pale in  comparison. 

A man, described by witnesses as a tall, blond male in his late twenties, approached the picture, took it from the wall and left. At first people thought he was one of the museum workers, and only after a few moments they realized that the painting was stolen. An empty spot, hooks and a title plate were all that’s left. 

READ MORE: $182,000 Russian artwork stolen in brazen heist from Tretyakov Gallery found, suspect detained

The manhunt is underway throughout the Russian capital. Police suspects there might be two people involved, according to Tass news agency, and that a museum worker might have been an accomplice.

There’s a CCTV footage of Kuindzhi’s work being removed from the wall, but it has not yet been released.

Visitors leaving the museum were asked to open their bag and were searched, but the painting, which is a rather small size of 39 x 52 centimeters, was nowhere to be seen.

Police officers guard at the entrance of the State Tretyakov Gallery after the theft. © Sputnik / Maksim Blinov

Kuindzhi is a “very expensive” artist as his works rarely appear on the market or in private collections, fine art expert, Sergey Podstanitsky, told Govorit Moskva radio. A few years back, a collector cashed out $1 million for Kuindzhi’s paining of the same size as the stolen one, he said.

The missing painting was drawn by Kuindzhi sometime between 1898 and 1908, during what is called the artist’s ‘Crimean Period’. It depicts one of the peninsula’s main landmarks – the 1,234-meter-tall mountain Ai-Petri.

Portrait of Kuindzhi by Viktor Vasnetsov, 1869. © Wikipedia

It’s unclear if this is a mere coincidence, but the painting was stolen on the artist’s birthday. He was born in Mariupol, now a city in Eastern Ukraine, on January 27, 1842.

The 19th century painter Kuindzhi is regarded as one of the best landscape specialists in the history of Russian art. Widely praised for his unique style and depiction of light effects, the painter is often introduced to foreign audiences as the “Russian J. M. W. Turner.”

Kuindzhi’s Rainbow © Sputnik/Alexey Danichev

Treyakov gallery, one of the main museums in Moscow featuring Russian art, has been hosting the Kuindzhi show since October with paintings brought in from around the world. The museum said the painting was ensured for a sum of 12 million rubles (around $182,000).

It’s not the first time that thieves have snatched Kuindzhi’s works. Two of his paintings were stolen from a gallery in Russia’s Chelyabinsk in 2011. Last year, Interpol got involved after an internal check at a Volgograd museum revealed the absence of the painter’s sketch, entitled ‘Dnieper’.

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TORONTO — A woman who became the first female Indigenous dean of a Canadian law school has launched a lawsuit against the university, alleging it racially discriminated against her and forced her to resign from the post earlier this year.

Angelique EagleWoman, a member of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Tribe of South Dakota, was appointed head of the law school at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ont., in May 2016 and resigned in June.

In an unproven statement of claim filed in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice last week, EagleWoman’s lawyers allege the university subjected her to excessive oversight and monitoring that created unsustainable working conditions.

“The (university’s) ongoing micromanagement, failure to provide (EagleWoman) with the tools, resources and support needed to succeed in her role and failure to address the hostile work environment ultimately led to the complete deterioration of the working relationship,” they wrote.

EagleWoman is seeking $2.67 million in damages, a figure that she says would compensate for lost wages and account for damages for “harm to dignity, feelings and self-respect,” among other things.

Lakehead said it had received the statement of claim but would not comment on ongoing litigation. The school added that it had not yet filed a statement of defence.

The 48-year-old EagleWoman had moved from Pullman, Wash., to accept the dean’s post, which she was supposed to hold until June 30, 2021, the lawsuit said.

“This was an expensive and socially difficult transition for (EagleWoman) and her son … but one (she) believed to be worthwhile in light of this significant opportunity,” it said.

Undermined, decisions made without consulting her: lawsuit

The university’s law school was founded in 2013 with the intent of focusing on Indigenous programming. It aims to cultivate lawyers who can analyze the law from an Aboriginal perspective.

The lawsuit alleges that EagleWoman’s authority was undermined by the school, which placed a consultant in the chain of command between her and her direct supervisor. That consultant was also authorized to bypass EagleWoman and respond directly to faculty and staff, according to the statement of claim.

“This was not only demeaning for (EagleWoman), it undermined her authority and conveyed the message to others in the faculty that the (university) did not support her,” the document said. “This made it increasingly difficult for (EagleWoman) to manage faculty members and staff.”

The lawsuit also alleged the university’s ombudsperson was made interim director of student services and skills at the law school without EagleWoman being consulted.

“(EagleWoman) encountered open hostility and resentment from a small segment of the faculty, staff, and students,” the document claimed. “She was given the impression that she was not deserving of the position of dean and was not hired on merit.”

EagleWoman alleged she encountered particular resistance from two faculty members, who “became unco-operative and openly defiant,” the statement of claim said.

Non-Indigenous judge appointed as interim dean

It said she tried to rectify the situation, requesting that the then-president and vice-chancellor hold a “culturally relevant Indigenous mediation process to allow her to voice her sense of powerlessness and to address the discriminatory behaviour she had been experiencing within the law faculty.”

That request was denied, the document said.

She also requested that the school “implement cultural competency/interaction training to improve the environment within the law school. She emphasized that such training was necessary to address ongoing tensions” and respond to a call to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Those requests were also denied, according to the statement of claim.

Weeks after EagleWoman’s departure, a non-Indigenous provincial judge was appointed as interim dean of the law school to the chagrin of some First Nations leaders.

A review found that in accepting the position, Justice George Patrick Smith broke a rule that mandates judges avoid “controversy or public debate that could expose them to political attack.” By the time that ruling came down, Smith had already resigned from the dean’s post and he was not punished.

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LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Five programs were selected by their peers as the 2017 NFCA Travel Ball Regional Coaching Staffs of the Year, announced the Association on Wednesday morning.

Representing each of the NFCA’s five Travel Ball regions, these respective coaching staffs – Legends (W.Va.) Softball (East), Beverly (Ill.) Bandits (North), Tennessee Mojo (South), Texas Glory (South Central) and Orange County (Calif.) Strikeforce (West)- are now eligible for the NFCA’s National Coaching Staff of the Year award.

Regional Winners

East – Legends Softball (WV)

Head Coach: Robert Brown
Assistants: Dewayne Brogan, Randy Smith, Ed Riffle, Bobby Spencer

Brown and his staff directed a complete turnaround of the Legends program… In 2017, Legends Softball won or was runner up in all competitions, including a second-place showing at the 2017 Top Gun World Series in Concord, N.C.

North – Beverly Bandits Conroy (Ill.)

Head Coach: Bill Conroy
Assistants: Rex Mack, Seth Holloway, Russell Cooper, Alexis Mack

Captured titles at King of the Hill, PGF Shootout and PGF Nationals (18u Premier Division)… Posted a 34-2 mark in elimination games against top competition and became the first team not based in Southern California to win the 18U Premier division of PGF.

South – Tennessee Mojo

Head Coach: Brooks Cherry
Assistants: Samantha Bates, Wayne Key

Mojo 2021, a first-year 14u team, finished the season 55-14-3 and won USA 14U Nationals… In preparation for nationals, Mojo 2021 recorded a top-five finish at the Scenic City Power Pool and tied for fifth at the Sparkler Jr. Power Pool in Colorado… Collected several wins over some of the top 14u teams in the country and finished the season going 8-0 in bracket play.

South Central – Texas Glory

Head Coach: Kevin Shelton
Assistants: Tony Woodall, Scott Edwards

Opened the season by winning the 2017 18u Triple Crown Texas State title… Posted top-five finishes at 18u Colorado Fireworks Super 48 (2nd), ASA/USA Futures Cup (3rd), 18u Triple Crown Nationals (5th) and 18u PGF Nationals (5th)… Highest finishing Texas organization in all five tournaments… Glory’s pitch staff tossed 20 shutouts, including four in PGF Nationals bracket play.

West – Orange County Strikeforce (Calif.)

Head Coach: Mark Bustamante
Assistants: Melissa Adams, Kaylie Bustamante, Tony Adams

Enjoyed one of the most successful seasons in the organization’s five years of existence… A record eight seniors signed with four-year college programs… In its finals tournament, OC Strikeforce boasted a perfect 8-0 mark and allowed just six runs at USSSA Nationals… Aurora Adams was named Tournament MVP and Faith Fennell garnered Defensive MVP honors.

Russia’s Ministry of Defense has released footage of a new Borey-class nuclear submarine performing tests at sea. The new addition to the “stealth” 955 Project family is expected to join the Navy later this year.

Video showing the fourth-generation Borey ultra-silent missile-carrying nuclear submarine was published on the Day of the Submariner in Russia.

The fourth-generation Borey-class SSBNs (Submarine Submersible Ballistic Nuclear) are expected to become a key component of Russia’s strategic nuclear forces in the next decades.

All Borey subs will be armed with 16 solid-fueled 8,000km (4971 miles) range Bulava intercontinental ballistic missiles with maneuverable warheads. Project 955 SSBNs also boast stealth characteristics superior to any Russian nuclear submarine currently in service.

READ MORE: Russian sub test-fires volley of 4 ICBMs across Eurasia

Russia’s MoD initially planned to construct eight Borey-class subs, but that number could increase to ten by 2027, according to media reports.

The first two Borey-class submarines, the lead Project 955 SSBN Yury Dolgoruky and first serial SSBN Aleksandr Nevsky, joined the Navy in 2013. A third SSBN, Vladimir Monomakh, entered service in December 2014

LAS VEGAS – Day three of the 2017 NFCA Convention is in the books as four new members entered the prestigious Hall of Fame. Additionally, speakers filled the day and the Softball Summit presented by USA Softball introduced the membership to softball dignitaries, recognized two members for their selflessness and perseverance and announced the grand prize winner of the ONE DRIVE.

In the signature event, Sheilah Gulas, OC Batbusters’ Gary Haning, Carson-Newman’s Vickee Kazee-Hollifield and UConn’s Karen Mullins were enshrined into the NFCA Hall of Fame. The Association also announced its class of 2018 of Salisbury’s Margie Knight, North Davidson High School’s Mike Lambros (posthumously) and Tennessee’s Karen Weekly.

Following the banquet, attendees had the opportunity to attend Legacy Event Management’s After Party at Beer Park on Paris’ rooftop.

For the second straight day, Jen Williams of MIT led a “Slots” of Fun workout circuit, while other attendees had the opportunity to stretch and relax in a yoga session. At the conclusion of JT Gasso’s (Oklahoma) Technology’s Role in Building Elite Hitters” presented by Diamond Kinetics presentation, Dabecka Kirk of La Monte High School, Villa Grove Elite’s Floyd Fisher and Mount San Antonio College head coach Ruby Rojas were announced as the 2017 winners of the inaugural Diamond Kinetics/NFCA Technology Scholarship.

The Summit kicked off with past president Rhonda Revelle and executive director Carol Bruggeman drawing the ONE DRIVE winner. This year’s recipient was Denison head coach Tiffany Ozbun. She has the opportunity to select from several great prizes, including two Women’s College World Series ticket, a lifetime NFCA membership and an all-expenses paid trip to the 2018 Convention in Chicago. Softball dignitaries USA Softball Executive Director Craig Cress, USA Baseball assistant coach Jenny Dalton-Hill and NPF commissioner Cheri Kempf provided overviews for the those in attendance, while Meg Aronowitz, coordinating producer at ESPN and SEC Network, showed the growth of softball on national television. Additionally, NCAA Secretary-Rules Editor Vickie Van Kleeck went over the newly implemented rules for 2018, while new Coordinator of Umpires Craig Hyde discussed umpire education and went over a few rules as well.

The Summit capped off with the recognition of NFCA Humanitarian Award winner Mark Larriba of Flower Mound High School and Donna Newberry “Perseverance” Award recipient, Indianapolis head coach Melissa Frost.

The sold-out exhibit show closed on Friday with the annual silent auction, where attendees bid on donated exhibitor products and take them home for a fraction of the cost.

The day also featured seven featured speakers along with four panels featuring a variety of coaches from emeriti to 2017 national champions as well as USSSA Pride players.

The convention concludes on Saturday with Drills, Drills, Drills, the Champions Brunch, Chalk Talks and two speakers- UMSL’s Lauren Lappin and Mike Stith of STC and OC Batbusters.

 

 

The Fokins family must have a most qualified guardian angel looking after their baby boy. On New Year’s Eve their home folded in on itself after a blast, and the toddler spent over 30 hours in freezing cold under rubble.

Little Vanya will be celebrating his first birthday in a new home come Saturday. He and his mom Olga were finally released from a Moscow hospital this week, after doctors confirmed that the ordeal he went through left him almost without a scratch. Many call it nothing short of a miracle.

Cradle turned into death trap

The Fokins, a family of four, lived in an apartment building in Magnitogorsk, a large city in the Russian southern Urals famous for its metal industry. On the morning of December 31, it was rocked by a powerful blast, which the authorities say was caused by a gas leak. Two 10-storey stacks of apartments came down, killing 39 people and injuring 17 others.

Vanya, his mother and three-year-old brother were sleeping in their apartment, which was located on the fourth floor over an arch. The father, Yevgeny, was working the night shift. When their entire home suddenly fell to the ground level, a dazzled Olga carried her elder son away, but the baby remained behind, trapped in his cradle.

A building in Magnitogorsk damaged by a powerful blast on Dec. 31, 2018. ©Sputnik / Ilya Moskovets

The following hours were frantic for the rescuers, who had to work as fast as possible to sift through the ruined section of the building in the hope of finding survivors while avoiding the risk of further collapse.

What they got for their effort was more and more dead bodies and a growing desperation from family and friends, who like the Fokins escaped with their lives or were away at the time of the explosion.

Boy who lived

Vanya was discovered some 30 hours later, the first survivor to be saved from the rubble, and it took the rescuers quite some time to get him out. He was shielded from the rubble by his cradle, the sofa in which his mom and brother slept, and a cabinet, which fell on top of his shelter. Unsure if the construction could be unraveled safely, the rescuers had to dig from underneath it.

By the time he was carried away, the baby was in serious condition, having spent many hours under some pressure and, more importantly, in dire cold. The temperature on New Year night fell as low as minus 27 degrees Celsius (-17F) in Magnitogorsk, and the industrial heat guns deployed by the rescuers could only do so much.

As he was receiving initial help local medics, a team of doctors was sent from a Moscow clinic specializing in emergency child surgery and trauma treatment. They flew in, assessed whether Vanya could be transported back to the capital some 1,400km away, and then evacuated the boy and his mother.

“The patient was a really difficult one. He was receiving assisted ventilation with supplemental fraction of oxygen. His hemodynamics was unstable, meaning he had low blood pressure and elevated heart rate due to severe dehydration,”said Dr. Denis Leonov, who was in charge of the boy’s flight to Moscow.

No damage whatsoever

The medics managed to stabilize Vanya’s condition while in the air. They feared a shock from crush injury, which often causes renal failure in survivors like Vanya, but the kidneys started to work fine after infusions.

Then in the hospital they ruled out their next biggest concern – that the boy’s brain may have been damaged by a head injury he got from some debris. Even frostbite on the right foot – doctors feared at one point that it might require amputation – left no permanent damage.

In fact, the biggest issue Vanya had to deal with in the long run was a broken femur, which is healing fine. He didn’t need surgery. “He really made it through without damage,” said Valery Mitish, the head of the hospital that treated the boy.

Vanya was the first one to be rescued from the Magnitogorsk disaster, but he was not the only one. Five other people were found alive, including one child. All of them were discharged from hospital.

The final patient may have become a symbol of hope found in the midst of a terrible tragedy, but he is also just a soon-to-be one-year-old, who loves books with pictures and mashed potatoes. The parting wish from his doctors in Moscow was: live to be a good person.

A prestigious private school where a student was allegedly sexually assaulted did not report the incident to the Toronto police, a spokeswoman for the force said Thursday, adding that a criminal investigation was launched only after officers were contacted by the media.

Police did not release any details about the incident, which allegedly took place at St. Michael’s College School, an all-boys Catholic institution that teaches grades 7 through 12.

In an email to parents, the school’s principal said they had been made aware of “two very serious incidents” that were in clear violation of the student code of conduct.

“The administration was informed about these incidents on Monday of this week and immediately began an internal investigation that included informing police and meeting individually with the students involved and their parents,” Greg Reeves wrote in the note sent Wednesday afternoon.

“Our concern is first and foremost with the safety and well-being of our students and we are shocked and heartbroken that such incidents have taken place at our school,” he said.

Const. Caroline de Kloet said the school had contacted police on Monday to seek advice on how to deal with an incident that was not the alleged sex assault.

“Advice was provided to the school and no further action was taken or received,” de Kloet said.

She said the force began investigating on Wednesday after receiving media inquiries about an alleged sex assault.

The school said in a statement Wednesday that “swift and decisive disciplinary action” had taken place, including expulsions, but it didn’t say how many.

‘Deeply saddened’: Basilian Fathers spokesman

St. Michael’s is run by the Basilian Fathers with roots dating back to the Congregation of St. Basil in France that is a “fully independent, Catholic high school,” according to its website.

“We are deeply saddened by the events that have come to light over the past days,” said Rev. Thomas Rosica, a spokesman for the Basilian Fathers. “Our primary concern in all of this situation is the protection of students, young people and vulnerable persons.”

Rosica said the organization is working with school officials and authorities to establish a timeline of events.

Two police sources said the incident the school discussed with officers on Monday involved members of the basketball team bullying a student and soaking him with water. Those sources say there was another incident involving the football team where a group of boys held down another student and allegedly sexually assaulted him with a broom handle. Both incidents were captured on video and circulated among the students at the school.

Video qualifies as child pornography

In a rare move, police released a statement Wednesday night saying investigators had determined the video of the alleged sexual assault met the definition of child pornography.

“Anyone who has this video is in possession of child pornography,” police said. “The video must be deleted immediately and cannot be shared with anyone.”

Det. Sgt. Paul Krawczyk, who runs the child exploitation section within the sex crimes division at Toronto police, said they decided to act proactively and warn both parents and students about the severity of possessing and sharing the video.

“It shows the alleged sexual assault of a child,” he said in an interview.

Krawczyk said getting the video removed from the internet will be almost impossible, and in some cases police are worried about losing evidence.

“But we have the evidence we want,” he said. “I’d rather lose potential evidence and save a victim from having this sent around more. It’s trying to stop that little hole of water from becoming a burst dam.”

Krawczyk said he wants both parents and students in general to be aware of the perils of sharing sexually explicit videos.

“There are charges at play, like non consensual distribution of intimate images,” he said.

St. Michael’s is known for its athletic programs, and alumni include hockey greats Frank Mahovlich, Dave Keon and Tim Horton. Other alumni include Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk.

The school is run by the Basilian Fathers with roots dating back to the Congregation of St. Basil in France that is a “fully independent, Catholic high school,” according to its website.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Holly Speers of Kent State and UCLA’s Rachel Garcia were named Louisville/Slugger NFCA Division I National Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, for games played April 16-22.

Speers powered her way to this week’s honor, recording six extra base hits, including four home runs, and 11 RBI. The senior infielder also doubled twice, scored five times, drew two walks and registered a monstrous 3.151 OPS (2.333 SLG/.818 OBP). Speers hit a pinch-hit grand slam against Pitt and was 3-for-3 with two long balls, three RBI and two runs in game two versus Buffalo. She capped off the Mid-American Conference series with a double, home run and four RBI in a sweep of the Bulls.

Garcia racked up her second straight and third NFCA honor of 2018 after a dominating performance over the weekend against then-No. 1 Washington. The red-shirt sophomore tossed 13 shutout innings and fanned 18 as she went 2-0 with a save, helping the Bruins sweep the Huskies and ascend to No. 1 this week in the USA Today/NFCA Top 25 Coaches Poll. She limited UW to four hits, a .093 batting average and two walks.

In game one, Garcia twirled a three-hit shutout with 10 strikeouts and a walk. She tossed 4 1/3 innings of one-hit relief with six puchouts in the walk-off game-two victory. Garcia slammed the door shut in the finale, retiring the final five batters, including two by strikeout, to earn the save.

Player & Pitcher of the Week
April 24 – Holly Speers, Kent State | Rachel Garcia, UCLA
April 17 – Kayla Wedl, UIC | Rachel Garcia, UCLA
April 10 – Sydney Sherrill, Florida State | Miranda Elish, Oregon
April 3 – Marisa Stankiewicz, Arizona State | Emily Watson, Tulsa
March 27 – Jocelyn Alo, Oklahoma | G Juarez, Arizona State
March 20 – Madison Gott, Columbia | Jacquelyn Sertic, North Dakota State
March 13 – Lexi Rouse, Belmont | Alexis Osorio, Alabama / Carley Hoover, LSU
March 6 – Faith Canfield, Michigan | Gabbie Plain, Washington
Feb. 27 – Rachel Garcia, UCLA | Kelly Barnhill, Florida
Feb. 20 – Tori Vidales, Texas A&M | Kylee Hanson, Florida State
Feb. 13 – Vanessa Shippy, Oklahoma State | Missy Zoch, DePaul

Selected Top Performances
Alexas Romero, Syracuse
– 3-0, 0.70 ERA, 41 K, 7 BB, .063 opp BA; Hayley Norton, Saint Francis (Pa.)– .333, 7 H, 5 HR, 14 RBI, 6 R, 2 SB, 1.048 SLG, .417 OBP; Megan Kleist, Oregon– 2-0, 0.00 ERA, 12 K, 1 BB, SHO v No. 2 Oklahoma; Maddie Westmoreland, Indiana– .636, 7 H, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 3 R, 1.182 SLG, .692 OBP; Jilee Schanda, Boston University– .643, 9 H, 2 2B, 3 3B, 7 RBI, 6 R, 2 SB, 1.214 SLG; Mary Wilson Avant, Georgia– 3-0, 0.39 ERA, 1 R, SHO, 2 CG, 12 K; Morgan Tolle, James Madison– .545, 6 H, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 4 R; Sarah Cornell, Hofstra– 4-0, 3 SHO, 1.31 ERA, 29 K; Megan Dejter, Towson, 3-0, 0.78 ERA, 14 K, 4 H, 18 IP; Tara Trainer, Indiana – 3-1, 0.82 ERA, 2 ER, 21 K, .093 opp BA, 17 IP; Kendyl Scott, Towson– .600, 9 H, 2B, 3B, HR, 9 RBI, 1.000 SLG; Julia DeMartino, Liberty– 3-0, SV, 0.00 ERA, SHO, 23 K, 2 BB, 17.2 IP, .175 opp BA;  Jacquelyn Sertic, North Dakota State– 2-0, 0.00 ERA, 22 K, 3 BB, 7 H, .135 opp BA; Ali DuBois, Boston University– 4-0, 0.88 ERA, 26 K, 4 BB, .141 opp BA; Brielle Pietrafesa, Hofstra– .500, 10 H, 3 2B, 3B, HR, 10 RBI, 7 R, .545 OBP; Gia Rodoni, Baylor– 3-0, 1 R, 21 K, SHO, 20.1 IP, .189 opp BA; Amber Fiser, Minnesota– 3-0, 0.43 ERA, 15 K, 16.1 IP; Amanda Lorenz, Florida– .636, 7 H, 3B, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 7 R; Kiara Oliver, UMass– 2-0, 0.79 ERA, 22 K, 17.2 IP; Maddy Vermejan, Southern Illinois– .556, 3 HR, 10 RBI; Nicole Newman, Drake– 3-0, 3 SHO, 23 K, 1 BB.

The Russian Security Service (FSB) is overcautious about OneWeb, a global satellite internet provider, the Russian space chief believes. Russia’s space industry will be launching some of the satellites for the project.

OneWeb intends to provide global access to broadband internet via a constellation of hundreds of satellites in low-Earth orbit. Its access to the Russian market, however, has been difficult, as Russian security officials have expressed concern that the satellites may endanger national security.

According to Dmitry Rogozin, the head of the Russian Space Agency (Roscosmos), the FSB leadership is overcautious and their position would result in Russia’s exclusion from the project, which will go online with or without Russia’s help.

“I understand why our colleagues from the FSB are skeptical. It’s their job to be skeptical. But we have to realize that this constellation will be created whether we want it or not,” he told RBC news website.

Russia may deny OneWeb access to its territory for building ground infrastructure, but cannot force its neighbors to do the same, Rogozin pointed out.

“We will simply drop out of this project and will have no way to influence it or control how it works,” he warned.

Russian is providing launch vehicles to place some of the OneWeb satellites into orbit. Russian space producers may also become involved in producing them. Considering the large number required, Russia would gain useful experience making communications satellites in bulk, as opposed to doing so in small series or individually, as is usually the case, Rogozin said.

The FSB’s complaints about OneWeb focus on the fact that Russia has no way to ensure that the constellation would not be used for surveillance purposes. It will also compete with Russian domestic internet providers, both traditional ground-based and a potential space-based counterpart for OneWeb. The agency said that if Russia were to take part in an international collaboration to provide satellite internet access, it should do so with countries friendly to Russia.

Objections to OneWeb have also come from telecommunications watchdog RKN, which said it would have no way of enforcing restrictions on access to content as mandated by law once the constellation is operational.

OneWeb and Roscosmos have a joint enterprise which was established in 2017 with the goal of streamlining Russia’s participation in the project. According to Rogozin, Russia is considering buying a greater share in the company, from 40 percent to over 50 percent. The joint company is currently seeking a broadband license necessary to operate OneWeb equipment in Russia.

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LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Essex’s (Vt.) Sarah Knickerbocker, South Park’s (Pa.) Jess Dean, Warhill’s (Williamsburg, Va.) Keely Rochard and Madisonville-North Hopkins’ (Ky.) Kaylee Tow were selected MaxPreps/NFCA National High School Player of the Week winners for their outstanding play during the week of June 5-11.

East Region
In two games last week, Knickerbocker was 4-for-7 (.571) with a pair of home runs, four RBI and three runs scored. Leaving the yard in each contest, Knickerbocker went 2-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored during a 3-2 win over Bellows Free Academy and 2-for-4 with two RBI and two runs in a one-run defeat to Mount Anthony.

North Region
In victories over Titusville and Lincoln, Dean hit .833 and slugged 1.833 with a double, triple, home run, five RBI and four runs scored. She opened the week going 3-for-3 at the plate with a triple, three RBI and two runs. Against Lincoln, Dean doubled, homered drove in two run and scored twice.

South Region
Rochard capped off a stellar season with an epic 18-inning shutout to win the Group 3A softball state title, In the title rematch against rival Brookville, Rochard went toe-to-toe with Jordan Dail, before a two-out walk-off hit won it for the Lions. Rochard scattered 10 hits, struck out 16 and walked five, while recording one of Warhill’s eight hits. A day earlier in the semifinals, she twirled a one-hit shutout in a 2-0 victory over Patrick County. Rochard fanned 11, did not walk a batter and also drove in a run with a double.

South Central Region
Tow keyed Madisonville-North Hopkins to its first state championship. Over a three-day, six-game stretch, Tow hit .600 with two home runs, five RBI and seven runs scored. She drew five walks, which contributed to her .680 on-base percentage. She was 3-for-5 with two RBI and two runs in the tournament opener against Pikeville. Tow homered against Mercy and in the first of three games against Male (2-for-2, 2B, HR, 3 R). In the title game against the same Bulldogs, she went 1-for-2 with a double.

The 2016-17 MaxPreps/NFCA High School Players of the Week are announced on NFCA.org every Monday during the spring season, with one representative chosen from each of the five regions. During the fall campaign, one player is selected each week.

Please note, in order for a school to have multiple player(s) recognized during the course of a season, a coach from that institution must be an NFCA member. To become an NFCA member, please click HERE or call 502-409-4600.

MaxPreps is a free stat tool that is available to high school coaches across the country and is one of the most recognized and respected high school athletics websites on the internet. Coaches who enter their team’s stats on Max Preps will not only be nominating their players for this award, but they will be getting their team’s information out to thousands of high school sports fans, as well as college coaches across the country.

To obtain a coach’s login, please contact: [email protected] or call (800) 329-7324 x1. To enter a team’s stats on the MaxPreps website, please click here.

2016-17 Max Preps/NFCA Players of the Week

6/13

Sarah Knickerbocker | Essex (Vt.) HS (East)

Jess Dean | South Park (Pa.) HS (North)

Keely Rochard | Warhill (Va.) HS (South)

Kaylee Tow | Madisonville-North Hopkins (Ky.) HS (South Central)

6/6

Mia Faieta | Cedar Grove (N.J.) HS (East)

Mackenzie Bryan | Elwood (Ind.) HS (North)

Keely Rochard | Warhill (Va.) HS (South)

Alyssa Franklin | Letcher County Central (Ky.) HS (South Central)

Brooke Yanez | Buena (Calif.) HS (West)

5/29

Kelly Nelson | Norton (Mass.) HS (East)

Macy Montgomery | Bellmont (Ind.) HS (North)

Meredith Slaw | Rappahannock (Va.) HS (South)

Michaela Stapp | Butler (Ky.) HS (South Central)

Tristin Achenbach | Russell (Mont.) HS (West)

5/22

Becca Johnson | Seymour (Conn.) HS (East)

Jordy Frank | Dubois Central Catholic (Pa.) (North)

Madison Morgan | King George (Va.) HS (South)

Lakyn Largent |McCracken County (Ky.) HS (South Central)

Cindy Robles | San Pedro (Calif.) HS (West)

5/15

Cassie McGrath | Tuckahoe (N.Y.) HS (East)

Morgan Bienkowski | Holy Redeemer (Pa.) HS (North)

Addie Robinson | Handley (Ala.) HS (South)

Montana Fouts | East Carter (Ky.) HS (Southeast)

Hailey Dolcini | Fortuna (Calif.) HS (West)

5/8

Briana Marcelino | Joel Barlow (Conn.) HS (East)

Ashley Davis | Erie (Ill.)-Prophetstown HS (North)

Lane Neumann | Huntsville (Ala.) HS (South)

Sydni Hawkins | Southeast (Kan.) HS (Southeast)

Brielle Stephens | Durham (Calif.) HS (West)

5/1

Jayda Kearney | Donovan Catholic (N.J.) (East)

Tori Wells | Lakeview (Ohio) HS (North)

Aspen Wesley |Neshoba Central (Miss.) HS (South)

Brittney Beck | Elllinwood (Kan.) HS (South Central)

Kristina Warford | Juanita (Wash.) HS (West)

4/25

Beca Findley | Seymour (Conn.) HS (East)

Carlee Selle | Reese (Mich.) HS (North)

Kaitlin Beasley-Polko | Leonardtown (Md.) HS (South)

Lyndie Swanson | St. John XXIII (Texas) (South Central)

Mikayla Rojas | Heritage (Ariz.) Academy (West)

4/17

Catherine Higgins | Medway (Mass.) HS (East)

Sidney Beier | Edinburgh (Ind.) HS (North)

Jackie Westfall | Woodside (Va.) HS (South)

Hannah Criswell | Kennett (Mo.) HS (South Central)

JaSha Roberts | Jurupa Hills (Calif.) HS (West)

4/10

Kelly Nelson | Norton (Mass.) HS (East)

Maria Reisinger | Victory Christian (Ind.) Academy (North)

Mia Davidson | Orange (N.C.) HS (South)

Montana Fouts | East Carter (Ky.) HS (South Central)

Makaiya Gomez | Copper Hills (Utah) HS (West)

4/3

Jessica Berger | Tuckahoe (N.Y.) HS (East)

Melanie Lint | Conemaugh Valley (Pa.) HS (North)

Kamdyn Kvistad | Columbia (Fla.) HS (South)

Jessica Olivarez | Dodge City (Kan.) HS (South Central)

Isabel Womack | Glencoe (Ore.) HS (West)

3/27

Yanique Spencer | Baldwin (N.Y.) HS (East)

Erin Coffel | Bremen (Ind.) HS (North)

Hailee Cutts | J.F. Webb (N.C.) HS (South)

Ariana Valles | Chapin (Texas) HS (South Central)

Kyllie Sappington | Lowry (Nev.) HS (West)

3/20

Julia Bomhardt | Indian River (Del.) HS (East)

Jenna Alfeldt | New Athens (Ill.) HS (North)

Claire Powell | Collegiate (Va.) HS (South)

Madi Pierce | Bald Knob (Ark.) HS (South Central)

Hannah La Gabed | Western Serra Collegiate (Calif.) Academy (West)

3/13

Lindsay Ward | Kirtland (Ohio) HS (North)

Haley Walker | Holtville (Ala.) HS (South)

Bailey Buffington | Bauxite (Ark.) HS (South Central)

Linnay Wilson | Coalinga (Calif.) HS (West)

3/6

Olivia Lackie | Holden (La.) HS (South)

Faith Jimenez | West Texas HS (South Central)

Kennedy Wyllie | Boulder Creek (Ariz.) HS (West)

2/27

Abbey Latham | Demopolis (Ala.) HS (South)

Taylar Mullen | Grapeland (Texas) HS (South Central)

Casey Overfield | San Ramon Valley (Calif.) HS (West)

 

Fall
10/24 – Madison Preston | Centralia (Mo.) HS

10/17 – Rylyan Nelson | Sterling (Colo.) HS

10/10 – Ainsley Tolson | Trenton (Mo.) HS

10/3 – Rylie Unzicker | Millard South (Neb.) HS

9/26 – Kayla Poynter | Walnut Grove (Ga.) HS

9/19 – Jordyn Hays | Grand Junction (Colo.) Central HS

9/12 – Olivia Douglas | Hastings (Neb.) HS

9/6 – Kerrigan Gamm | Osage (Mo.) HS

8/29 – Lindsey Malkin | Broomfield (Colo.) HS

8/22 – Madison McPherson | Marion County (Ga.) HS