Nicaragua Shuts Down More Than Two Dozen NGOs Critical to President Ortega

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INTERNATIONAL: Nicaragua's parliament, controlled by allies of President Daniel Ortega, on Wednesday (April 20) shut down 25 non-governmental organizations in a move slammed by the opposition as a further attack on civil society.

The organizations, many of which have publicly criticized the government, were closed by Congress with 74 votes in favor and 15 abstentions. Lawmakers argued the NGOs had violated Nicaraguan laws and failed to disclose financial accounts.

Most NGOs work on human rights issues and carry out social and cultural work.

Authorities of the Central American country have shut down 163 NGOs since mass protests against Ortega's government in 2018 sparked a political crisis. Nicaragua's Congress has also moved in recent months to curb the independence of universities.

Ortega, one of the leaders of the Sandinista rebellion that toppled former dictator Anastasio Somoza in 1979, was sworn into office for his fourth consecutive term as president in January, two months after winning an election dismissed by the United States and other Western nations as fraudulent.

The assets of these groups will pass into the hands of the state, according to the legislative decision, as has happened in previous cases.

"We were the only institution that documented the arbitrariness and abuses committed by different powers of the state and by government officials," said Marcos Carmona, who heads the Permanent Commission on Human Rights, one of the organizations affected by the measure.

Coen Foundation, the social arm of a powerful business group in Central America, and the foundation of the writer and former vice-president of Nicaragua, Sergio Ramirez, currently in exile, were among the NGOs closed.

Czech Company 3-D Prints Shelters for Ukrainian Soldiers

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INTERNATIONAL: Czech company ICE will provide 3-D concrete printers to make barriers for the Ukrainian army fighting Russia's aggression, and to build homes after the war is over, the firm said.

Thousands of homes have been destroyed by Russia's shelling and rockets in the war, forcing millions to seek shelter elsewhere in Ukraine and to flee abroad.

ICE will first send to Ukraine dozens of the barriers, and later also up to 20 of the 3D printers so they can work on-site, and be ready for the construction of new homes after the war, chief executive Tomas Vranek told Reuters.

The barriers are printed of layers of concrete in shapes that give more effective cover against light weapons and grenades, Vranek said. The barriers were tested in a ballistic laboratory, he said.

When the war is over, the printers will switch to building homes. However, the reconstruction work might be some way off.

Russia has failed to capture any of Ukraine's largest cities in its nearly eight-week-long invasion, but has poured troops back in for an assault on the east that began this week.

Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee Will Celebrate with the Royal Windsor Horse Show and a Doll

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INTERNATIONAL: In London's central Hyde Park, troopers from the Household Cavalry were practicing on Wednesday (April 20) for the May 12-15 Royal Windsor Horse Show as well as the additional evening shows to mark Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee, celebrating her 70 years on the throne.

Elizabeth, who turns 96 on Thursday, ascended the throne on the death of her father King George VI on Feb. 6, 1952. She is the longest-ruling monarch in British history. She has attended the Royal Windsor Horse show every year since it began in 1943.

As part of this year's celebrations, hundreds of horses and 1,000 performers will also take part in "Platinum Jubilee Celebration: A Gallop Through History" on the grounds of Windsor Castle.

According to the director and producer Simon Brooks-Ward, the 90-minute sold-out show will tell the history from Queen Elizabeth I to the present and will include actors and musicians as well as military and equestrian displays.

Toymaker Mattel said on Thursday (April 21) it was commemorating the monarch's 70 years on the throne with a Tribute Collection Barbie doll.

Dressed in an ivory gown with a blue sash adorned with miniature medallions and ribbons, the figure also has a tiara based on the one Elizabeth wore on her wedding day.

The doll will be sold in London stores Harrods, Selfridges, and Hamleys ahead of the official Platinum Jubilee celebrations on June 2-5.